Chelsea, whose performance cannot be judged after their two previous friendlies will now be travelling to the USA to play the rest of their games. They had a horrific start under the new manager, as they lost 2-0 against the Austrian side Rapid Vienna, and four days later, they emerged victorious against RZ Pellet, where the young guns of the Blues had a good game.
During the tour of the USA, the Blues will be battling to the fellow Premier League side Liverpool on 28th of August, and then the Champions League winner will be waiting for them just two days later and that will be followed by the last game of the USA tour against the Italian giants, AC Milan. Conte will be happy to see that some of his best players have returned to training and the players themselves will be looking forward to the games in order to impress the new manager.
Rose Bowl Arena, which have a capacity of 92,542 is the venue, where the two English giants will meet. Both the teams will be battling for the pride and since the Italian now has a squad with full potential, he will be looking to fire all the cylinders. So here is the predicted lineup for the Blues, that could give Liverpool a run for their money:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois-
The young Belgian international shot-stopper recently came back from his vacations and will be looking forward to start a new life altogether in the first game for the keeper under Conte.
Defence: Azpilicueta; Cahill; Zouma; Ola Aina-
With the injury to Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic, the manager might use the Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta as a left back. It is fair to say that during a dismal last campaign, Azpilicueta was one of the bright prospects for the team, hence, he could play a decisive role for the Italian in the upcoming season, and to start that, what is better than the pre-season preparations.
A centre back pairing is what will give Conte a headache. In the last game, the Italian used Terry and Djilobodji, but both of them weren’t too convincing, hence, the manager might go with Cahill, and alongside him, Kurt Zouma might mark his return after a long time.
On the right spot, the 19-year-old defender, who gave an impressive display of his skills against Pellets might get a chance yet again. He played as a left back in the first half of the game, but even the manager knew, that he could do more damage from the right spot, and therefore, he was shifted to his favoured right side in the second half.
Holding midfielders: Nemanja Matic; Cesc Fabregas-
With the absence of the new signing N’Golo Kante, the manager will most probably be using the Serbian international Nemanja Matic, who was an instrumental figure for the Blues in the year they won the Premier League trophy, but failed to replicate the same form in the last season. As a central midfielder, the Spaniard, Cesc Fabregas will be an ever present option for the Italian.
Attacking Trio: Willian; Cuadrado; Hazard-
Unarguably, this will be one of the most creative and fastest trio in the Premier league next season. Willian, Chelsea’s player of the season last year might be starting the game as a right winger, while Hazard will be commanding his usual left wing. While both the players will be looking to cut inside with their place, Cuadrado will remain at the centre as an attacking midfielder.
Attacker: Diego Costa-
There is a possibility that the manager might start the game with the Brazilian-born Spanish centre-forward Diego Costa, and in the half-time, he might introduce his new signing Michy Batshuayi.
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