How Chelsea could line up against Wolves after Lampard sacking with Tuchel ready to overhaul underperforming squad

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26 Jan 2021 14:04

THOMAS TUCHEL is expected to be in the dugout when Chelsea face Wolves tomorrow evening.

The German will replace Frank Lampard as Blues boss on an initial 18-month contract and could make wholesale changes to get his new side firing again.

He faces a tricky test with Nuno Espirito Santo taking his men to Stamford Bridge for a 6pm kick-off on Wednesday.

But after flying to London and taking his first training session, Tuchel may have some plans for how he plans to reverse the downturn in form and go about trying to win the Premier League.

Edouard Mendy is almost guaranteed to start in goal after steadying the ship between the sticks since replacing Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Tuchel used three-man and four-man defences during his time with Paris Saint-Germain but is likely to stick with a four for now as that is how Chelsea have lined up in recent matches.

That could see Reece James and Ben Chilwell continue as the full-backs.

Tuchel is thought to be a big fan of compatriot Antonio Rudiger so he could keep his place after a surprise return against Fulham and Leicester.

He may well partner Thiago Silva at centre-back.

Silva left PSG at the end of last season and labelled his former boss’ sacking in December as ‘predictable’.

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However, there appears to be no bad blood from Tuchel’s side with the German saying in August: “Thiago Silva was my captain, it was a pleasure to have a player of his quality and personality.

“Whatever the decision, he will always be my player. He is in my heart and it has been incredible this journey with him.”

Silva’s agent Paulo Tonietto added: “Tuchel always wanted to keep Thiago. [Sporting director] Leonardo was the one who didn’t want him.”

However, should Tuchel go straight to a back three, he could use Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen to shake up the back line – with James and Chilwell ideal wing-backs.

In midfield, a 4-3-3 would allow for Jorginho to sit with Kai Havertz and man-of-the-moment Mason Mount given freedom to push on.

Blues fans will be desperate to see German duo Havertz and Werner hit top form under Tuchel – and the ex-RB Leipzig striker may well start as the central striker at the Bridge tomorrow.

Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic are likely to be the first-choice wingers.

However, a 3-4-3 could see Mateo Kovacic partner Billy Gilmour in the middle despite Mount being a firm favourite under Lampard.

Werner could be used off the left and Callum Hudson-Odoi wide right with Olivier Giroud or Sunday’s hat-trick hero Tammy Abraham used as a more physical presence in the No9 role.

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