We takes an extensive look at Chelsea’s ‘dream’ line-up against Liverpool in the first competitive match since Mauricio Pochettino started his role as head coach
Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson could play against Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Time is running out for Chelsea to sign Moises Caicedo in time for their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues are lining up a fresh offer for the Ecuador international, football.london understands, after seeing their first three bids turned down by the stub𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Brighton. The latest offer, believed to be around £80million altogether, was still some way under Brighton’s valuation of £100m.
Chelsea, though – for what seems like the 100th time of writing this over the summer – will once again step up their efforts in the coming days as they look to get the situation resolved. Caicedo is desperate to complete the move but will only be able to do so if his employers play ball.
In an ideal world, Chelsea would love to get Caicedo in through the door before they take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. However, to do that, he will need to be registered by the Premier League as a Chelsea player before it hits 12pm on Friday afternoon, as per the official rules.
Caicedo missed Brighton’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano as a precaution, but will almost certainly feature at the weekend – whether that is for Chelsea or the Seagulls. If it is for the former, then he could slot in alongside Enzo Fernandez in a double pivot in the 4-2-3-1 formation. If not, then there is every chance it will be youngster Andrey Santos.
Behind them is likely to be Kepa Arrizabalaga. Despite Robert Sanchez being signed from Brighton at the weekend, Kepa may well get the nod in between the posts against Liverpool, despite there still being some concerns over his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
In front of Kepa, the back-four more or less chooses itself. Reece James is one of the best right-backs in European football when he is fit and well. If Chelsea can keep him fit for a large chunk of the season, then the England international will certainly do his bit in making Mauricio Pochettino’s first campaign at the club a successful one.
On the other side, Ben Chilwell could start despite Chelsea’s mass amount of options at left-back. Chilwell looks to be the first-choice still and the 26-year-old, like James, will be desperate for a largely injury-free campaign.
Levi Colwill and Thiago Silva may have been the starters even if Chelsea had all of their centre-backs fit. They do not, however, with Benoît Badiashile recovering and Wesley Fofana likely to miss a big chunk of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament recently.
In front of Caicedo and Enzo, if the former is signed, is a really difficult one to choose. It would have been Christopher Nkunku, although he is not set for a spell on the sidelines following Chelsea’s draw with Borussia Dortmund last week.
Michael Olise is someone being looked at – and football.london understands Chelsea are considering making an offer for the Crystal Palace winger. The player would be interested in making the switch across London, but nothing is advanced just yet.
The 21-year-old, though, is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering a tear to his hamstring while playing for France Under-21s this summer. The Frenchman is someone that can operate on the right-hand side and in the No.10 role; the exact sort of profile Chelsea are chasing this summer.
So that means, regardless of Olise being signed or not, Chelsea will look down a different route on Sunday. Ian Maatsen surprised many this summer with his performances in the pre-season tour of America.
The Dutchman, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, has been used in a variety of different positions, including on both sides of the attack. Maatsen is an option to start on the right-hand side with the early indications suggesting he suits Pochettino’s system very well.
If you would have said to anyone a couple of months ago that Maatsen could be starting the first game of the season for Chelsea, they would have looked at you funny. The fact he is even in contention is testament to his work over the summer.
Carney Chukwuemeka could be used in the middle, just behind the striker. The youngster has enjoyed an impressive pre-season with the Blues and will be hoping for a much busier campaign in terms of minutes on the pitch.
Mykhailo Mudryk, too, showed glimpses of his undeniable talent during the pre-season tour of the United States. The Ukraine international has been tipped by many to massively improve in his first full season in the Premier League. The 22-year-old is an option on the left-hand side on Sunday.
Finally, Nicolas Jackson looks set to start the game through the middle for Chelsea. The Senegal international, who was brought in for £30m from Villarreal earlier in the summer, scored twice and provided three assists over pre-season and is now the favourite to lead the line for Chelsea in their opening match of the Premier League.
Chelsea’s dream XI vs Chelsea: Kepa; James, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell; Fernandez, Caicedo; Maatsen, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk; Jackson
Soucre: football.london
