Chelsea predicted lineup for 2023-24 season

Published at :August 7, 2023 at 4:50 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 5:07 PM

With players leaving for Saudi League and to rival clubs, the Blues will be looking to get their best eleven sorted during their pre-season

The Blues’ poor showing on the pitch led to the sacking of manager Thomas Tuchel in September, while his replacement Graham Potter also got relieved from his duties in April. Frank Lampard served as the caretaker manager of the Blues for the last nine league games of the 2022-23 season.

Chelsea have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager to turn things around. The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is currently working on bringing reinforcements to his squad ahead of the next season. Amid huge clear out of the players and new manager, based on the players Chelsea have signed and are likely to sign this window, here’s how they could line up during the 2023-24 season.

Goalkeeper – Kepa Arrizabalaga

The Blues have been linked with several goalkeepers this summer, including Inter’s Andre Onana, but Kepa is expected to remain the club’s number one with Edouard Mendy departing to Saudi Arabia. Following the departure of Édouard Mendy to Al-Ahli earlier this transfer window, Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to keep the gloves for Chelsea next season. The Spain international played 29 Premier League games last season, registering nine clean sheets.

Right-back – Reece James

Reece James is among the most talented English right-backs of his generation. However, injuries have hampered his growth last season and he managed to start just 14 games in the league. The England international will look to put his fitness issues behind him and play a pivotal role for Chelsea next season.

2022-23 was a hugely difficult one for James as injuries ruled him out of the World Cup and the end of Chelsea’s disastrous campaign. The defender entered the campaign with many labeling him the best in the world at his position and will be hoping for a bounce-back year in 2023-24.

Centre-back – Levi Colwill

Levi Colwill impressed with performances during his loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion last season. He played 17 Premier League games for the Seagulls during the 2022-23 season, helping them keep five clean sheets. His performances also caught the attention of Gareth Southgate who called him to England’s senior squad for the first time last month. Also since Fofana is suffering a pre-season injury, Colwill is surely starting games for his manager and is an exciting player to watch

Centre-back – Thiago Silva

Poch has several options at his disposal, even with Kalidou Koulibaly making his way out. He could opt for the younger Trevoh Chalobah, but Thiago Silva has just been so reliable and consistent since joining the club that he’ll surely begin the season as Fofana’s partner. His leadership will be of even greater value with Cesar Azpilicueta’s future uncertain.

Also Read: Luton Town predicted lineup for 2023-24 season

Left-back – Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell is one of the most talented English full-backs of his generation. The former Leicester City man played 23 Premier League games last term, registering two goals and two assists. He will compete with Marc Cucurella for the left-back spot next season. The former Leicester defender should benefit greatly from Pochettino’s arrival if the 4-2-3-1 dynamic from the manager’s time at Spurs is retained. A whole host of full-backs, including Danny Rose, have excelled under the 51-year-old, and the enterprising Chilwell could be next in line.

Central defensive midfield – Conor Gallagher

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says Conor Gallagher is still in his plans after the club rejected a reported £40m bid from West Ham. The England midfielder, 23, has two years left on his contract and is on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. Brighton are making Chelsea wait for Caicedo as Brighton are not budging with their asking price of $85M and if in case the signing doesn’t go through, Gallagher is their man to start in midfield since Kante decided to move to much hyped Saudi Pro League.

Central midfield – Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez has settled quickly at Stamford Bridge following his record move from Benfica during the January window of 2023. He played 18 Premier League games last term, assisting two goals. The Argentina international will be a crucial player for the Blues during the upcoming season.

It was a rollercoaster campaign for the elegant midfielder that undoubtedly peaked before he joined Chelsea in January. The World Cup winner’s start to life at Stamford Bridge was tricky given the club’s instability, but many were impressed with the £106m man’s opening act in west London. The addition of a defensively sound midfield partner would further unlock the Argentine.

Central-attacking midfielder – Christopher Nkunku

With Kai Havertz Arsenal-bound and Mason Mount potentially on his way to Man Utd, Nkunku is a player the new manager desperately needs. The Frenchman can play a myriad of roles and Poch could utilise him across his front four, but he’s currently Poch’s best option for the #10 role in his favoured 4-2-3-1. Nkunku has all the minerals needed to excel in the Premier League

The France international is currently among one of the most talented attackers in Europe and won the Bundesliga’s Golden Boot last season. Christopher Nkunku has signed for Chelsea for £52 million. The 25-year-old French international will bring excitement to Stamford Bridge, he is brilliant at escaping tight spaces and carrying the ball effectively. He’s exciting to watch and always looks like he can make something happen.

**Chelsea predicted lineup for 2023-24 season**

Left-winger – Mykhailo Mudryk

Mykhailo Mudryk struggled to adjust at Stamford Bridge following his big money from Shakhtar Donetsk in January. The Ukraine international failed to score a single goal in his 15 appearances in the Premier League last term. He will look to turn things around during the 2023-24 season as it was the winger’s first involvement having only returned to training in time to travel to the USA after a busy summer.

The 22-year-old chose to play in the under-21 European Champions to improve his chances of hitting the ground running after arriving at Chelsea in January without his full fitness after Shakhtar Donetsk’s season had long since ended. It was not the only difficulty he will have found, with Chelsea’s faltering season leading to greater expectations in an increasingly tough environment in 2022-23. Changes in manager, disenfranchised teammates and barely a win to speak of were probably not part of the plan when agreeing his transfer.

Also Read: Manchester City predicted lineup for 2023-24 season

Right-winger – Raheem Sterling

The England international performed pretty well during his debut season, and he’ll be hoping to be a part of a much more coherent Chelsea outfit in 2023/24. Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City before the start of the last season. The England international played 28 Premier League games for the Blues during the 2022-23 season, scoring six goals and assisting three more. He will share game-time with Noni Madueke at right-wing for the Blues next season. The multi-faceted Sterling could operate as an outlet for Poch’s Blues or a ball-to-feet winger capable of retaining possession in the final third. Overall, he could be invaluable to the new boss, even if a certain Mykhailo Mudryk is waiting in the wings.

Centre-forward – Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson Chelsea — **Nicolas Jackson will bring a cutting edge to Stamford Bridge**

The young Senegalese forward boasts a profile Poch appreciates and he may well start 2023-24 as Chelsea’s leading man given the current dearth of options. The Blues have secured the services of striker Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal earlier this transfer window. The Senegal international enjoyed an excellent 2022-23 season in LaLiga, scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances.

He is likely to spreadhead the Blues’ forward line during the upcoming season. The 22-year-old Senegal international striker will bring a cutting edge to Stamford Bridge, which was lacking last season. The new arrival enjoyed an impressive campaign for Villarreal CF, scoring 12 goals in 26 LaLiga appearances.

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