Our Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern are happiest of all this Christmas with their team by some margin the leaders in the Premier League.
The Blues have undergone an incredible transformation under Antonio Conte this season from last year where they looked like a complete shambles of a football club.
Now, though, they are streaking away towards the Premier League title once more thanks to the Italian’s ingenious switch to a 3-4-3 earlier on in the year.
They’ve won an incredible eleven games on the bounce in the top flight, too, and if anyone is going to stop them, they’d better hope that run comes to an end soon.
The latest challenger to the record is Bournemouth tomorrow but our landlord only sees one winner coming out of the game – Chelsea, as long as they go with this XI against the Cherries…
GK: Thibaut Courtois
Many here in the Transfer Tavern would rather David De Gea or Hugo Lloris but our Blues fans are more than happy with their Belgian stopper.
CB: Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta is having another fine season in another make-shift role.
He really doesn’t get the credit he deserves because more often than not he does a superb job for the Blues.
CB: David Luiz
Here’s another who’s having a top year.
Luiz and Chelsea were ridiculed at the start of this season but that has been stopped in its tracks now – he’s been class this year.
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Cahill is having a decent season but does still make the odd error.
If he can cut those out, though, he would easily become England’s first choice centre half.
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RWB: Victor Moses
Moses is Chelsea’s turnaround in human form.
He was nowhere in terms of a Blues career right up until the start of this season but has since become a key part. He’s finally showing the ability his young days at Crystal Palace suggested he had.
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CM: Cesc Fabregas
With no N’golo Kante Chelsea face a real test in their midfield.
We should expect Fabregas to come in, then, but how he makes up for the Frenchman’s running remains to be seen.
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CM: Nemanja Matic
The Serbian is back from injury and should start here.
He’ll need to work hard though as he doesn’t have the legs of Kante alongside him doing the running.
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LWB: Marcos Alonso
Alonso offers great balance to the Chelsea side and shouldn’t be underestimated in terms of his contribution this season.
He goes under the radar a fair bit but the Blues would surely notice if he were to be out of the side.
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RF: Willian
Willian looks to be back in the fold and should start against the Cherries.
He’ll be looking to get back amongst the goals soon, though, as his rival for the spot Pedro was doing well in that respect.
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LF: Eden Hazard
Hazard is back to his best this season and Chelsea are naturally profiting.
He’ll need to chip in with the goals on Boxing Day, though, as the Blues are without their key striker – Diego Costa.
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ST: Michy Batshuayi
He’s not had the game time he’s perhaps wanted but he’ll almost definitely get to play here.
With Diego Costa out injured it’s up to the young Belgian to step up and from what our landlord has seen so far there’s no reason why he can’t.
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