Chelsea fans’ preferred lineup against Bournemouth: We want Tomori!

It’s back to league duty for Chelsea as we travel down south to take on Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth. With the race for the top-four becoming ever tighter, there’s no room for error and Frank Lampard will have to pick his starting eleven very wisely. The amount of injuries is still a problem, so the choices are limited.

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

The success of the 3-4-3 (18%) against Tottenham may have swayed the WAGNH community to pick the same formation against Bayern, but this time the 4-2-3-1 returns ahead of a back three and the 4-3-3 (32%).

While the goalkeeping position has become less obvious than it used to be, Kepa Arrizabalaga continues to receive more than enough votes to start ahead of Willy Caballero (35%).

There was one significant change at the back as my favoured partnership of Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori is finally endorsed by the community! César Azpilicueta and Reece James start at fullback, as usual. Marcos Alonso (25%), Emerson (24%), Antonio Rüdiger (54%), and Kurt Zouma (31%) all sit this one out.

Mateo Kovačić and Jorginho remain the obvious choices in midfield. Ross Barkley (17%) is relegated back to the bench with even young Billy Gilmour (19%) receiving more votes! Ruben Loftus-Cheek (28%) will be hopeful of making his return here, but starting him would be too risky.

No surprises up front given our depleted attack as the trio of Willian, Mason Mount and, for a lack of any other options, Pedro get the nod behind Olivier Giroud. Callum Hudson-Odoi (24%) and Tammy Abraham (18%) have been ruled out while Michy Batshuayi (5%) remains a distant second/third/last choice.

4-2-3-1 (46%):
Arrizabalaga (63%) | Azpilicueta (73%), Tomori (64%), Christensen (61%), James (90%) | Kovačić (98%), Jorginho (86%) | Willian (88%), Mount (79%), Pedro (36%) | Giroud (78%)

MY PREFERRED LINEUP

Given the circumstances, I don’t have much choice other than to agree with the community’s lineup. But I’m certainly happy to finally see consensus on the Christensen and Tomori centre back partnership!

4-2-3-1
Arrizabalaga | Azpilicueta, Tomori, Christensen, James | Kovačić, Jorginho | Willian, Mount, Pedro | Giroud

COME ON, YOU BLUES!!!