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Predicted Chelsea XI to face West Ham: Wesley Fofana in contention to make Chelsea debut as Reece James hands Blues boost

Predicted Chelsea XI to face West Ham: Wesley Fofana in contention to make Chelsea debut as Reece James hands Blues boost

Chelsea face West Ham United in their second home match of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea face West Ham United in their second home match of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues will be hoping to recover after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Southampton on Tuesday.

Despite Raheem Sterling putting Chelsea ahead, the Blues collapsed as Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong both scored before half-time to see the Saints come out victorious on the south coast.

Sterling will be hoping to keep up his good run of form as Chelsea welcome West Ham on Saturday, netting three goals in his last two matches for the Blues.

Raheem Sterling celebrating for Chelsea (Alamy)
Raheem Sterling celebrating for Chelsea (Alamy)

he clash could also see the return of Reece James, who missed Tuesday’s match through illness.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was withdrawn during the match, but Tuchel confirmed that he is also available for selection on Saturday afternoon.

Deadline day signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria are unavailable for the clash, but Wesley Fofana could make his debut as Tuchel is set to make some changes after Tuesday’s disappointment.

Predicted Chelsea XI to face West Ham: Mendy, Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Cucurella, Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Edouard Mendy will most likely keep his place in goal despite a shaky start to the season.

In front of him, Fofana could be set for his first start on the right of a back three after making two Premier League appearances for Leicester City already this season.

Tuchel will want to get him up and running as soon as possible as the Blues look to build relationships within their back three.

Thiago Silva has started the season well and remains a constant in the back of a defensive three, with Koulibaly set to appear on the left of the defence.

James will most likely return to the starting XI, looking to build a bond with Fofana on the right.

Reece James applauds the Chelsea fans. (Alamy)
Reece James applauds the Chelsea fans. (Alamy)

The wing-back’s importance is clear, with Chelsea missing him against the Saints on Tuesday, and Marc Cucurella could find himself starting on the other side.

With N’Golo Kante injured and Mateo Kovacic admittedly only being fit for 20 minutes against Southampton, despite playing 45, Tuchel could opt for Loftus-Cheek in the middle of the park.

Despite a slow start to the season from Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, the pair could make up the attack with Sterling due to Aubameyang’s unavailability.

This would lead to Hakim Ziyech being demoted to the bench alongside Armando Broja and Christian Pulisic.

Chelsea will be hoping to push on and claim three points and kick start their season.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, West Ham United, Football, Thomas Tuchel, Wesley Fofana, Reece James