This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their 2am kickoff against ES Tunis. The match is on June 24 in America but won’t begin until June 25 for those in Europe. This match has suddenly taken on a lot of importance as both sides sit on three points in the group, behind leaders Flamengo on six. The Blues can win or draw to get to the next stage but will be hoping to secure a victory or they risk stuttering in this tournament.
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Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Tunis for Club World Cup Tie
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Rob Sanchez has started both matches in goal. The back line has had Marc Cucurella at left-back, Levi Colwill partnering either Trevoh Chalobah or Tosin Adarabioyo in the middle and Malo Gusto or Reece James on the right.
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James alo played in defensive midfield where Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Romeo Lavia have all featured. Enzo was moved to attacking midfield against Flamengo which moved the usual middle man Cole Palmer to the right. Pedro Neto has been on the wing in both outings with Noni Madueke starting the first game of the tournament.
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Nicolas Jackson started up front against LAFC but was rotated out for new signing Liam Delap last time out. With the former now suspended, it gives Delap a chance to make the number nine spot his own.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
Enzo Maresca sets up with a 4-2-3-1 that shifts when in possession to different lineups. It is usually a 3-2-4-1 or a 2-2-5-1. In the last match they didn’t invert into the usual place, instead moving James next to Caicedo as a normal pivot, this made the full-backs work differently and neither one could adjust properly, leaving a lot of space to exploit. Cucucrella may invert to the number ten position again as that allows James to start on the right and move in as a third centre-back.
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The Blues ended the season on a really strong run. They were grinding out 1-0 wins when needed, they were putting the ball in the net pretty freely against teams like Real Betis and they took this momentum into the Club World Cup to beat LAFC in their tournament opener. The 3-1 loss to Flamengo leaves a sour taste but the tactical tweaks left a lot of players in unusual roles and the side was exposed by a high-energy, skilled Brazilian team.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
As mentioned, Jackson is suspended after a straight red card. Mykhailo Mudryk is also suspended and wasn’t taken to the tournament. The other notable absentee is Wesley Fofana who was also not taken to America to continue his recovery.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Espérance Sportive de Tunis
GK – Filip Jorgensen
LB – Malo Gusto
CB – Tosin Adarabioyo
CB – Benoit Badiashile
RB – Josh Acheampong
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Andrey Santos
W – Tyrique George
AM – Cole Palmer
W – Noni Madueke
ST – Liam Delap