Chelsea fans’ preferred lineup against Krasnodar: Give the other forwards a chance!

Chelsea take on FC Krasnodar today. After the draw last week against Sevilla, the Blues will be looking to come away with all three points in an effort to take over top position in the group. Given the congested schedule, it will also be interesting to see how much rotation there will be.

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

The 4-3-3 (36%) remains second best to the 4-2-3-1 formation in the eyes of the WAGNH community, with the 3-4-3 (9%) receiving the most votes it’s had for a while. Édouard Mendy retains his spot in goal ahead of Willy Caballero (8%) and Karlo Žiger (1%).

Only one change to the backline as Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma edge out Antonio Rüdiger (43%), Andreas Christensen (27%) and Thiago Silva (38%), who hasn’t travelled anyway. Ben Chilwell and Reece James continue at left and right back, respectively, with Emerson (34%) and César Azpilicueta (45%) starting on the bench.

Mateo Kovačić has been somewhat overlooked in recent games, but he is given the chance here (most votes received in fact), next to N’Golo Kanté. Jorginho (42%) drops to the bench.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech make up the attacking band behind lone striker Tammy Abraham, with Timo Werner (43%), Christian Pulisic (30%) and Kai Havertz (51%) all getting a rest. Olivier Giroud (22%) misses out yet again.

4-2-3-1 (51%)
Mendy (89%) | Chilwell (62%), Tomori (49%), Zouma (49%), James (65%) | Kovačić (89%), Kanté (50%) | Hudson-Odoi (70%), Mount (70%), Ziyech (73%) | Abraham (51%)

MY PREFERRED CHOICE

We really do need a win here, which would set things in motion for us to top the group come December. Going nuts with rotation, especially in defense, might not be the wisest choice.

So, at the back and in midfield, I’m fully in line with the community’s picks. Further up the field, I’d make a slight change. I’ve been disappointed with the lack of minutes Giroud has seen so far, as he was a huge factor in Chelsea’s strong finish to last season. Therefore, I’d go with him over Abraham.

Like the community, I think this is a good opportunity to give Ziyech his first start of the season and to get him some important minutes under his belt. He has struggled a bit being thrown into the last few minutes of some difficult games, so this should let him settle in far more easily.

4-2-3-1
Mendy | Chilwell, Tomori, Zouma, James | Kovačić, Kanté | Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Ziyech | Giroud