Chelsea have recovered well after a slow start under Sarri and are firing on all cylinders now. The likes of Hazard and Willian look rejuvenated and the duo of Jorginho and Kante are running the show in midfield. Sarri has got the players playing the way they like and the results are there for all to see.
The Blues will face Southampton tomorrow and will be eager for all three points. Going into the international break, that would be a huge boost and the small matter of Liverpool playing Manchester City tomorrow also means the London side can capitalise on either team dropping points.
Their opponent tomorrow, Southampton, have not got going this season. The Saints are currently in the 16th position having collected just 5 points from 7 games. But the visitors cannot take things for granted with Mark Hughes’ troops having enough firepower to pull off an upset if Chelsea take things too lightly.
PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP VS SOUTHAMPTON
FORMATION: 4-3-3
TEAM NEWS
In what has become an aberration now for the top teams, the manager will have a fully fit squad to choose from. They head to the south coast without any injury concerns but will check on a couple of minor knocks picked up by the players in the midweek Europa League match.
DEFENCE
Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal. The new arrival had two solid games against Liverpool last week and will be confident going into tomorrow’s fixture.
Sarri will roll out a back four. Azpilicueta will start at right back with Alonso positioned on the left flank. The Spaniards have generally been solid this season with Alonso taking his attacking play to a different level under Sarri.
David Luiz‘s career has got a fresh lease of life under the new manager. He hasn’t been flawless but is most suited to the Italian’s style at the moment. German centre-back, Rudiger will be partnering him.
MIDFIELD
The midfield is currently settled with the trio of Kante, Jorginho and on-loan Kovacic complementing each other well. Jorginho has settled in extremely well and is running the show for Chelsea while Kante is making full use of his freedom to hustle and harry the opposition.
Kovacic is also slowly getting into a rhythm and his creative prowess will be put to better use in the coming weeks.
ATTACK
Eden Hazard is relishing life under Sarri. The Belgian has been fantastic in the last couple of weeks and fans are optimistic that he can step up another gear or two this season.
Giroud will start through the middle and while his suffering is akin to Morata in front of goal, the French international’s link-up play is keeping him ahead in the pecking order.
Willian is expected to start on the right wing in place of Pedro even though the Spaniard had his minutes managed in the midweek fixture.
KEPA
AZPILICUETA- RUDIGER- LUIZ- ALONSO
KANTE- JORGINHO- KOVACIC
WILLIAN- GIROUD- HAZARD
