Lukaku, Jorginho And Silva To Return | Predicted 3-4-2-1 Chelsea Lineup Vs West Ham

Chelsea will be keen on maintain their top spot in the Premier League table as they take on West Ham on Saturday. After being held to a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the reigning European champions returned to winning ways in midweek with a narrow victory over Watford. With Man City and Liverpool breathing down their necks, the Blues can’t afford a slip up as they lock horns with this season’s surprise package this weekend.

Predicted Chelsea Lineup Vs West Ham

Defence

Thomas Tuchel had to deal without with a host of key players in the midweek affair against Watford. Reece James and Ben Chilwell were among the players sidelined due to knocks, and on top of that, it appears Trevoh Chalobah has picked up a serious hamstring injury that may keep him out for a considerable period.

As a result, Tuchel may have no option but to deploy his strongest possible defensive combination involving Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. It is quite possible that the German may have Malang Sarr as the only back-up for the centre-backs.

While Cesar Azpilicueta is another option, the Spaniard will be forced to continue at right wingback in light of the current injury crisis that sees James sidelined, at least for the time being.

With Chilwell also out on the opposite flank, it appears Marcos Alonso should also continue in the starting eleven, whereas Edouard Mendy remains a guaranteed starter in between the sticks.

Midfield

In midfield, Tuchel had to start with the dysfunctional combination of Saul Niguez and Ruben Loftus-Cheek against Watford, in light of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic’s injury, coupled with Jorginho’s fitness issues.

This time around, we are expecting Jorginho to return to the starting eleven. The Italian, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or this year, is likely to accompany Loftus-Cheek in the double-pivot this weekend.

Attack

Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner were both on the bench in Chelsea’s last game. One would expect one of them to return to the starting eleven this weekend, with Lukaku, in particular, looking likely to spearhead the frontline.

The Belgian is set to be aided by the attacking duo of Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, although Tuchel also has the option of deploying Christian Pulisic, Calum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech while Werner is a potential alternative for Lukaku.