A London Derby friendly!
Chelsea take on Arsenal in the first match of the Mind Charity Series. Mind is a charity organisation that focuses on mental health. With what’s been going on over the last few years mental health has been an important topic amongst athletes but also the world in general. The series is a noble cause to fundraise and bring global awareness to the topic. The three teams taking part in the series are Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham; An all London affair.
Arsenal have been busy so far in the summer window having brought in Nuno Tavares, Lokonga, and Ben White from Benfica, Anderlecht, and Brighton respectively. Arsenal have so far played four friendlies a loss to Hibernian, and a draw against Rangers were followed by 4-1 wins against Millwall, and Watford. Arsenal have no European duties this season so their sites are firmly set on doing well in the Premier League.
Chelsea go into this game with that 1-2 win against Bournemouth. That game was a good chance to see some fringe players but already there has been some departures. Gallagher who played 90 minutes in that game has left on a season long loan to Crystal Palace. Maatsen has left on a loan to Coventry City. The Bournemouth game saw Tuchel fiddle with the tactics but with most of the first team players back now the real tinkering should begin from this game.
Chelsea Team Preview
Let’s first mention who is not available for this game. Broja, Baker, Ampadu, Miazga, Anjorin, Bakayoko, Kenedy, Musonda, and Ugbo are not available for this game while there are rumours that Alonso will not be involved either. Azpilicueta and Christensen will also not be playing because they only returned to training a few days ago.
- Goalkeepers
- Mendy, Kepa, Bettinelli
- Defenders
- Sterling, Zappacosta, Rahman, Clarke-Salter, Chalobah, Sarr, Zouma, Rudiger
- Midfielders
- Drinkwater, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Kante
- Forwards
- Pulisic, Ziyech, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Michy, Havertz, Werner
This is more like Chelsea will look like next season and out of these players Zappacosta, Clarke-Salter, Chalobah, Drinkwater, Barkley, and Michy probably won’t be at the club when the transfer window closes. There has been speculation about Zouma, and Abraham as well. This should be a game of two halves with several changes so its anyone’s guess who starts.
I’ll go with Mendy in goal; Zouma, Chalobah, and Sarr as the three centre backs with Sterling, and Rahman as the wing backs. Loftus-Cheek, and Drinkwater as the midfielders with Havertz, Hudson-Odoi, and Abraham up front. Again this is just a guess and either way all the players mentioned above should be involved in the game. Hopefully Sterling, and Rahman impress while Havertz and Werner have to hit the ground running after a solid end to last season. Hudson-Odoi will be another one to watch especially if he starts further forward.
Starting XI Prediction
An entertaining London Derby for a good cause. Of course with fans back in the stadium there is going to be a competitive edge to the game as the rivalry comes out. For Chelsea fans its a chance to see some of the fringe players impress again while we should see some of the regulars back as well. COME ON CHELSEA!!!
Park The Bus 