Chelsea fans’ preferred lineup against Southampton: Saúl, Sarr, Ziyech to start

Chelsea play Southampton for the second time in just under a month, with progress to the quarterfinals of the League Cup on the line. Despite several recent injuries, Thomas Tuchel pulled off yet another masterclass at the weekend and one can only hope things continue in such a dominant way — minus the injuries.

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

As most will have expected, the WAGNH community saw no need to change the formation as the 3-4-3 stays in power well ahead of the 3-5-2 (12%). The goalkeeper, however, does change for this Cup tie as second fiddle Kepa Arrizabalaga rotates in for Édouard Mendy (8%). And there’s plenty of rotation elsewhere as well.

After a successful Premier League debut against Brentford, Malang Sarr can prove his worth in the Cup once again, as he joins Andreas Christensen and Trevoh Chalobah in the back three. Antonio Rüdiger (15%) and Thiago Silva (14%) rotate out, as do Ben Chilwell (10%) and Reece James (40%), with Marcos Alonso and César Azpilicueta coming in.

The usual midfield suspects of Mateo Kovačić (19%), N’Golo Kanté (37%) and Jorginho (19%) all get some well deserved rest, as the community provide Saúl Ñíguez with a rare start. He beats out Ross Barkley (44%) by the skin of his teeth, and joins Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

In light of reduced options in the attacking positions, Mason Mount (24%) ends up being the only forward rested from the weekend, with Hakim Ziyech taking his spot. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz get the chance to impress yet again.

3-4-3 (83%)
Arrizabalaga (90%) | Sarr (81%), Christensen (85%), Chalobah (83%) | Alonso (88%), Loftus-Cheek (87%), Saúl (45%), Azpilicueta (72%) | Hudson-Odoi (81%), Havertz (78%), Ziyech (76%)