Ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, our reporters Adam Newson and Bobby Vincent pick their starting XIs.

Graham Potter didn’t downplay the difficulty Chelsea will face against Forest. “They’ll be ready and the atmosphere will be hostile,” he said. “It’s their first year back in the Premier League for a long, long time and every game – especially Chelsea coming to town – is a big game for them. So they’ll be motivated, have quality, and be fighting for the points. So we have to be ready.”

For that reason – even with Manchester City to come on Thursday – I expect Potter will name a similar side to that which started and overcame Bournemouth. Edouard Mendy may be back from injury but I think Kepa Arrizabalaga has earned his place as Chelsea’s No.1 for the months ahead.

I think Cesar Azpilicueta is the obvious option to come in for the injured Reece James, even though the Spaniard doesn’t offer the same level of physicality or threat in the final third. I would bring Trevoh Chalobah into the backline and move Kalidou Koulibaly over to the left. Thiago Silva would be among the substitutes. At left-back, Marc Cucurella should continue.

Chelsea are likely to control possession so I think Jorginho is a must as the No. 6 and I would continue with Denis Zakaria and Mason Mount, who scored a fine goal against Bournemouth. The attacking three should remain: Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, and Christian Pulisic.

Adam’s XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Mount, Zakaria; Sterling, Havertz, Pulisic

Bobby Vincent

Chelsea were so good in the first-half against Bournemouth on Tuesday, so I’d like to see something similar against Forest. The 4-3-3 formation seemed to work really well and it allowed the attackers more freedom and they looked more like the players we all know they are.

In goal, it has to be Kepa Arrizabalaga. The back four is an interesting one. Reece James is out for a while, so the only real option for Chelsea at right-back is Cesar Azpilicueta. Thiago Silva picked up a knock on Tuesday so it makes sense to rest him, meaning a return to the side for Trevoh Chalobah is on the cards, while Marc Cucurella continues at left-back.

A midfield three of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic – who is returning from the World Cup break – and Mason Mount. I’d like to see the same attack that performed really well against Bournemouth.

Bobby’s XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount; Sterling, Pulisic, Havertz

Source: https://www.football.london/