Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Lincoln for September 23

This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their first steps into this season’s EFL Cup.  Their opponents are League One side Lincoln City who are currently battling it out for top spot in their division, they got here by beating relegation-threatened Burton Albion in the last round. This fixture offers up a chance for some much-needed rotation to get some fringe players involved as the big stars rest after a tough few weeks.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Lincoln City in EFL Cup Tie

How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently

Robert Sanchez has been the main man in goal but will not be available here, offering a chance for Filip Jorgensen to forget his tepid performance at the weekend as a substitute. The back line has been unpredictable with Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, and Reece James all starting at right back.

Fofana has also started in the middle, where the Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah pairing has been getting worse and worse returns, which saw a new pairing of Chalobah/Fofana for all of five minutes at the weekend before Sanchez’s red card.

The only settled position is left-back where Marc Cucurella is undoutbedly the best choice. Jorrel Hato started once against lower-quality opposition and should be in line for another start here.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been the regular starting midfield pivot with James coming in to start alongside Caicedo once. The attacking midfield spots have gone to Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao, Facundo Buonanotte, Enzo, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens as the manager has been forced to tinker with things behind the striker.

The big problem is the striking department where Liam Delap was initially the starter but his injury has forced Pedro to play there, racking up a lot of minutes already and looking out on his feet against Manchester United.

Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics

Enzo Maresca has used his flexible 4-2-3-1 setup which alters when in possession depending on the eleven. It most often turns into something resembling a 3-1-6 with the intent to flood the central areas but we have seen the CBs step up more and more when the team has the ball to offer a passing option. Against a side like Lincoln they’ll likely go aggressive with the front line pressing and some defenders pushing up along with the defensive midfielder to win the ball back high.

The Blues are without a win and a clean sheet in their last three matches, they’ve let in seven goals in that time and have looked leaky at the back all season. The absence of Levi Colwill is really being felt as their defensive structure slowly loses its strength. They have been able to score goals which keeps them in most matches but it is the back line and the declining form that will worry fans.

Chelsea Injuries to Consider

PremierInjuries lists a total of eight absentees for this one. Sanchez is suspended for his red card, Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended indefinitely. Colwill, Delap, and Dario Essugo are long-term absentees, Palmer is trying to handle a groin injury. Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia haven’t featured this term but they were expected back around the previous international break, if there was ever a chance to ease them in, this is it. Marc Guiu is cup tied having scored for Sunderland in the previous round.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Lincoln City

GK – Filip Jorgensen

LB – Jorrel Hato

CB – Josh Acheampong

CB – Tosin Adarabioyo

RB – Malo Gusto

DM – Andrey Santos

DM – Enzo Fernandez

AM – Facundo Buonanotte

W – Jamie Gittens

W – Estevao

ST – Shim Mheuka