The Chelsea fans in the Football Transfer Tavern will be hoping for a return to form!
A stellar start to the season by Chelsea has been thwarted over the last two weeks, with a draw at Swansea and a defeat to Liverpool taking the sheen from an otherwise excellent start to life at Stamford Bridge for Antonio Conte.
Very few Chelsea fans in the Football Transfer Tavern thought that the Blues were the finished article, and so they aren’t surprised that Conte’s men have come unglued over the last few weeks – but that does not, they feel, give the Blues an excuse for failure this week.
The Chelsea faithful will demand a return to form against Leicester in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, and they will accept nothing short of a dominant win against the reigning Premier League champions.
On the pitch, our landlord is touting a number of changes as Antonio Conte looks to rotate his side ahead of another round of Premier League fixtures this weekend.
With that said, 4-2-3-1: This Chelsea XI will dominate Leicester in the EFL Cup…
GK – Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begovic is a guaranteed starter against Leicester, with the Chelsea second-choice a constant in the Blues’ cup fixtures.
He is usually solid and will perform well – but it will likely be a one-game affair.
RB – Ola Aina
Chelsea’s young right back hasn’t had much of a look in so far this season, but looks set to get another start in the EFL Cup.
Having made his first team debut, expect him to kick on and begin to feel comfortable on the right-hand side of the Chelsea defence.
He’ll perform well in hope of dislodging Branislav Ivanovic going forward.
CB – David Luiz
Chelsea’s latest signing looked solid despite Chelsea’s 2-1 loss at Liverpool, and in John Terry’s absence will likely continue against Leicester.
Expect more of the same.
CB – Gary Cahill
Will be forced into yet another start for the Blues, and you would expect Cahill to be his normal consistent self.
Always reliable.
LB – Marcos Alonso
Look out for a debut for Chelsea’s summer signing Marcos Alonso.
The Spanish left back hasn’t yet had a chance to impress, but our landlord is backing him for a great debut.
DM – Nemanja Matic
With N’Golo Kante in need of a rest, expect Matic to drop back into a deeper role against Leicester.
He has had a turnaround in fortunes this season, and has finally started to look like the player that went missing last season.
DM – Cesc Fabregas
Expect Fabregas to join him in midfield and re-create the midfield duo that won Chelsea the league in 2014.
With speculation in the Tavern linking him with a move away, our landlord is backing Fabregas for a dominating performance against the League champions.
RAM – Pedro
He has become a bit-part player under Antonio Conte, and Pedro has largely looked poor in his appearances thus far.
The ex-Barcelona man is capable of anything though – so don’t be surprised if he pulls out a huge performance.
CAM – Ruben-Loftus Cheek
The man touted to become Chelsea’s first academy graduate in nearly 2 decades, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set to feature for the second time this season again Leicester.
Playing further up the field, the Chelsea fans in the Tavern are hoping for another big performance.
LAM – Victor Moses
Brought back from obscurity by Antonio Conte, Victor Moses has looked good when given an opportunity for Chelsea so far this season.
That will continue this week as he vies for a starting spot in the league going forward.
FWD – Michy Batshuayi
Diego Costa’s fine form has prevented Batshuayi from getting a Premier League start so far this season, but he will continue to lead the line in the EFL Cup.
Judging by his record so far – expect a big performance and a goal from the Belgian.
