Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Ayush Kumar/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Results are never the most important thing in pre-season friendlies, but there is not a single Chelsea player who will want rivals Tottenham to get one over them in any circumstances.
Xabi Alonso saw pre-season get off to a strong start with a 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, with plenty of academy stars being given the chance to impress.
The boss has welcomed Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo to the tour since that game, however the game will likely come too soon for either of them to make an impact.
Chelsea player ratings vs Western Sydney Wanderers
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Predicted pre-season Chelsea XI vs Tottenham
The Chelsea Chronicle has predicted the side Alonso will name to take on Spurs, with Premier League opposition bringing the perfect opportunity to trial a new formation.
In goal, Robert Sanchez will feature for the majority of minutes after only coming off the bench to replace Teddy Sharman-Lowe in the previous friendly.
Wesley Fofana will be handed a start at right centre-back, with him up against the likes of Josh Acheampong for this position if this system is kept on.
Tosin Adarabioyo will be one of the few survivors from the starting side against WSW, and will be tasked with operating as the central defender after Maxence Lacroix has just joined.
On the left, Levi Colwill will start in the other wide centre-back role, with him looking a shoo-in to be in Alonso’s first XI when the season comes around.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
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The formation looks perfect for new signing Marco Palestra, who we have starting in the right wing-back role, allowing his attacking talents to thrive.
After impressing so much in the previous friendly, we have Reggie Watson starting again against Spurs. He was the only player to feature for 90 minutes against WSW.
Dario Essugo impressed and found the net in their last game, and will be handed a start before what looks like a loan move away for this season.
Another impressive performer last time was Landon Emenalo, and he will continue to try and impress Alonso in an attempt to earn a place in the squad next season.
Cole Palmer will make his first start of pre-season against Spurs. He looks another player who is a perfect fit for this 3-4-2-1 system.
He will be joined in those attacking pockets by Estevao Willian, who has previously spoken about a desire to play more centrally in the future.
Up front, hat-trick hero Joao Pedro will get his chance to continue his own strong start to pre-season against the side he scored against last season.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; Fofana, Tosin, Colwill; Palestra, Watson, Essugo, Emenalo; Estevao, Palmer; Pedro