Chelsea will be looking to get back into title-winning form this weekend as they travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United, in arguably the biggest game of the Premier League this season.
Blues fans in their corner of the pub are nervously awaiting the trip to Manchester as they aim to pull away from Spurs in the race for the Premier League title, knowing another defeat could mean the gap closing even tighter, especially after their home defeat to Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago.
But with form better after the 3-1 away win at Bournemouth last weekend, Chelsea should go into the game with confidence, especially considering United have a Europa League tie with Anderlecht to worry about this week too.
And the barman has been giving us some advice as to who he’d start for Conte’s side this season and being a mad Blues fan, we’re going to take his word for it.
So with that in mind, here’s the Chelsea XI that we think will smash Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend…
GK: Thibaut Courtois
There’s absolutely no reason why Chelsea number one Thibaut Courtois should be dropped for the game against Manchester United in the slightest.
He’s going to be the number one at Stamford Bridge for a very long time indeed and if he plays well this weekend, United will struggle to get through.
CB: Cesar Azpilicueta
Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta will have a real job on his hands this weekend as he lines up against the likes of Martial, Ibrahimovic and Rashford and he’ll need to be at his best to stop United scoring.
But he’s impressed during large spells this season and will be confident that alongside his fellow defenders, they’ll have the quality to keep United out.
CB: David Luiz
These are the games David Luiz will have come back to the Bridge to take part in and he’ll want to make sure the Premier League crown is won on his return to the Bridge.
Defensively, he’s been a lot more assured this season and that will come as fantastic news to Chelsea fans here in the pub, who question his capabilities when he re-joined the club this summer.
CB: Gary Cahill
Cary Cahill has been ever-present in the Chelsea side under Conte this season and he’s really stepped up to the plate at the heart of the defence, especially with John Terry taking a backseat role these days.
His leadership skills are fantastic and he’s going to hope for a strong performance against United this weekend.
LWB: Marcus Alonso
Former Bolton Wanderers wideman Marcus Alonso has slotted into this Chelsea first-team with ease following his summer move back to England, and his addition has really worked in Conte’s 3-4-3 formation this season.
Defensively, he’s as solid as a left-back but he’s more than good enough to get forward too – a key part of Conte’s plan to do well this campaign.
CM: N’Golo Kante
It’s certainly looking more and more like N’Golo Kante will win two successive Premier League crowns this weekend and it’s testament to the quality that he brings to the middle-of-the-park.
The Frenchman is the glue in this new-look Chelsea side and without him, they’ve looked poor at times.
CM: Nemanja Matic
Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic has had a big part to play in Conte’s side too, despite some fans here in the pub thinking he wouldn’t be part of the Italian’s first-team plans at the start of the season.
In hindsight, he’s been pretty irreplaceable in the midfield and alongside N’Golo Kante, Chelsea look more solid than ever.
RWB: Victor Moses
Arguably the biggest underdog in this side has been Victor Moses, who has slotted into Conte’s first-team plans like a duck to water, after a tricky couple of years with Liverpool.
The Nigerian has solved that problem down the right hand side and his attacking full-back role has really worked for the Blues all season.
LW: Pedro
Pedro looks like a new player under Antonio Conte and it’s good to see the former Barcelona man getting back to his best after a tough season last time out.
The forward will be looking to get at the likes of Matteo Darmian on that left hand side and he’ll hope that more good performances will ensure he stays in the first-team next season.
ST: Diego Costa
It’s five games without a goal for Spanish forward Diego Costa but if there’s a man that can come into the limelight on the biggest stage of all, it’s him.
He’ll fancy his chances against the likes of Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo this weekend and with some good movement, he should be able to get on the scoresheet at Old Trafford.
RW: Eden Hazard
Chelsea’s man of the moment continues to impress and Eden Hazard might be the player that unlocks this Manchester United defence this weekend.
The Belgian is as good as they come and Mourinho won’t be relishing playing against a player that often struggled under his management. Again, like Costa, you wouldn’t put it past Hazard in causing all sorts of damage this weekend.
