Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The Chelsea Chronicle have predicted the starting XI Xabi Alonso will name against Juventus as the Blues continue their pre-season tour into Hong Kong.
It has been a mixed start to pre-season for Chelsea, beating Western Sydney Wanderers before falling to defeat to Tottenham in Australia.
A number of the first team stars have hit the ground running. Joao Pedro has picked up where he left off last season, and Estevao Willian has returned strongly following a serious hamstring injury.
Player ratings vs Tottenham
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Chelsea Predicted XI vs Juventus
Some academy stars have also impressed, and we are predicting a number of those will get their chance to shine again against Juventus. Here’s our predicted XI…
Barring any setback from his minor injury issue, Robert Sanchez will start in goal for Chelsea, with the number one shirt his to lose for next season.
Marco Palestra impressed greatly as a traditional right-back against Spurs, and will be given the chance to start there again against Juventus.
There will be another chance at centre-back for Josh Acheampong. He will be looking for a significant improvement from his display against WSW.
He will be partnered by Tosin Adarabioyo, with Levi Colwill not spotted in training a day before the game.
At left-back, 18-year-old Landon Emenalo will return to the starting side, with him making an impact on Alonso already during this tour.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
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There will be a first start of pre-season for Moises Caicedo, who has been the recipient of plenty of praise from his new manager already.
He will be partnered by Romeo Lavia. It’s early days, but the Belgian has shown signs of his quality again during this tour when he can remain fit.
Ahead of those two, Joao Pedro will play the role of linking things all together in the number 10 role, after Cole Palmer trained on his own ahead of the game.
On the right, Estevao will be looking to build on his performance and goal against Spurs with another start.
Jamie Gittens will again begin on the left after a very promising start to pre-season. He will soon be facing a battle with Morgan Rogers for a place in the starting side.
Up front, Liam Delap will be handed a chance to feature amongst Chelsea’s elite attackers. He is in dire need of making a significant impression soon, with Nicolas Jackson and Danny Welbeck now amongst the group.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Juventus: Sanchez; Palestra, Acheampong, Tosin, Emenalo; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Pedro, Gittens; Delap