Chelsea have adapted well to Maurizio Sarri’s brand of football, proof of which is their still unbeaten run this season. They won their match against Arsenal earlier in the season and then drew with Liverpool. They have a match against Manchester United after the international break but for the moment let us take a look at their strongest XI based on the campaign thus far.
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga has started all the matches in the Premier League for Chelsea after his world-record move from Athletic Bilbao. The Spaniard has kept four clean sheets so far, though he hasn’t had the chance to show off his full repertoire yet with the Blues dominating most of the games.
Cesar Azpilicueta has made the right-back position his own ahead of the likes of Victor Moses and Davide Zappacosta. He has assisted once and provides one key pass on an average per game. Marcos Alonso has assisted twice and provides 1.2 key passes in each match. Both these Spaniards have cemented the fullback spots for themselves.
David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger form the centre-back partnership. Though Luiz’s concentration and positioning have been questionable at times, his ball-playing ability has been used excellently by Sarri. He has recorded a passing accuracy of 88.6% and wins 2.5 aerial duels on an average in each match. Rudiger has been reliable at the back too. His defensive nous coupled with Luiz’s passing range has formed a strong core at the centre of defence for Chelsea.
Midfield
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have formed an excellent partnership in midfield. The Italian’s passing accuracy of 91% and the ability to control the tempo have allowed Chelsea to dominate things in the final third.
Kante is being played out of position. However, the Frenchman continues to contribute defensively and his energy is beneficial in Chelsea’s transitional play. Their Croatian recruit Mateo Kovacic has been sublime in his role on the left of the midfield.
Kovacic’s passing accuracy is 94.6% and he has delivered one key pass in each match so far. His combination with Eden Hazard on the left flank has been excellent and this could continue going ahead in the season.
Attack
Olivier Giroud hasn’t scored so far but has registered four assists from four starts and three appearances from the bench. Hazard has been in exceptional form too. The Belgian has scored seven goals and assisted thrice in eight appearances so far. He seems to have been the biggest beneficiary of the managerial change this summer.
Hazard has been more involved in the final third and his dribbling skills, vision and goal-scoring rate have propelled him to re-emerge as Chelsea’s talisman after an indifferent last season.
Pedro pips Willian for the right-wing spot here. The Spaniard has scored thrice from six appearances and his energy and drive from the right flank have been brilliant. The trio has quality deputies in Alvaro Morata and Willian.
