Chelsea's predicted starting XI for the 2018-2019 season

After a disappointing end to 2017-18 season with a 5th placed finish, a shake-up at the managerial position was an expected outcome. Antonio Conte has been replaced by ex-Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri.

The new appointment Sarri, famous for his relentless "Sarriball", an attacking style of football based on retaining possession and patient build-up play. This stands in stark contrast to the football style employed by his predecessors Mourinho and Conte- famous for employing defensively solid teams and a less risky approach to the game.

With the signing of Jorginho, a key cog in Napoli (every neutral's favourite team) last season, the foundation for a football revolution at Stamford Bridge has begun. With roughly couple of weeks left for the season to start and plenty of rumoured arrivals and departures in the transfer market, what will be the playing eleven for the upcoming season?

With the transfer window yet to conclude, certain first-team players have been linked with moves away from Chelsea while the club is also working on some acquisitions. Therefore, the lineup will be made with potential arrivals and departures kept in mind.

Also, the lineup will feature a 4-3-3 formation, similar to what Maurizio Sarri employed for Napoli last season.

Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel

Schmeichel in action against Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois looks increasingly likely to leave Chelsea this season and the hunt for a replacement was dealt a blow with Liverpool signing Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson for a world record fee.

Kasper Schmeichel, the son of the legendary Peter Schmeichel looks to be a solid short-term option for The Blues and looks most likely out of the other rumoured targets like Alphonse Areola and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Dane has been a rock for Leicester since signing for them in 2011, playing an important role in their victorious 2015-16 campaign. The 31-year-old also had a good World Cup campaign with Denmark.

He is one of the best goalkeepers in the premier league and is also good with his feet which will serve him well in a Sarri system. Leicester City have already signed another starting calibre goalkeeper in Danny Ward from Liverpool and it is looking increasingly likely that Schmeichel would be moving to West London.

Center Backs

Stoke City v Chelsea - Premier League

Antonio Conte made three-man defence fashionable again, however, this coming season with Sarri, the Blues look to switch back to four-man defence with 2 centre backs.

Center backs is perhaps the deepest position in the Chelsea roster with plenty of strong options- Antonio Rudiger, Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, David Luiz, Kurt Zouma and Ethan Ampadu. (Juventus and Italian centre-back Daniel Rugani also strongly linked with Chelsea)

Right-sided centre back (RCB): Andreas Christensen

Andreas Christensen is one of the most sought-after young central defenders in the world. He forced himself into the starting lineup in 2017-18 season coming on the back of a successful 2-year loan spell at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The Dane signed for Chelsea Academy aged 16 and was part of multiple championship winning youth sides featuring current premier league players like Nathan Ake, Dominic Solanke, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham.

Blessed with fine technique and immaculate reading of the game, the 22-year-old looks set to be at the heart of Chelsea's defence for the foreseeable future.

Right-sided centre back (LCB): Antonio Rüdiger

Rudiger was immense against United in the FA Cup final last season

Antonio Rüdiger signed for Chelsea during the summer transfer window ahead of the 2017-18 season from AS Roma. The German centre-back has an abundance of pace and physicality to deal with the most marauding of centre-forwards and is comfortable in distributing the ball from the back.

He had a good first season with Chelsea with 25 appearances in the premier league, expect him to cement a first-team spot this season.

Fullbacks

Right Back (RB): César Azpilicueta

Chelsea v Manchester United - The Emirates FA Cup Final

The Spaniard is always one of the first names on the teamsheet. He is a versatile defender and has played virtually across the entire backline and delivered consistently. Maurizio Sarri employed Elseid Hysaj as right back at Napoli who is a very similar player to Azpilicueta.

There should be little doubt on his ability to transition from a centre-back in a three-man backline under Conte to a traditional fullback since that has always been his natural position. He is also a commanding presence in the dressing room, is dependable and a great model for the younger players due to his intense work ethic as lauded by many fellow Chelsea players.

Jose Mourinho perhaps gave him the most fitting tribute- "A team with 11 Azpilicuetas could win the Champions League".

Left back (LB): Emerson Palmieri

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League

While Marcos Alonso has been a good servant and a constant presence down the left flank for Chelsea in the past two seasons, his place could be in jeopardy. It is not a slight on the Spaniard but the transition could more be due to tactical needs which favour his counterpart. Signed from AS Roma in the winter transfer window in the 2017-18 season, the Brazilian turned Italian full-back Emerson could very well displace Alonso from the starting eleven.

Defensively sound, quick and good ball retention as well as close control could suit him very well in the Sarri system similar to Faouzi Ghoulam at Napoli under Sarri. Along with Eden hazard, Emerson could very well cause some serious damage down the left-hand side to the opponents in England.

Central Midfielders:

Jorginho

There is nothing more key in making 'Sarriball' work but, the midfield. Chelsea faced some serious issues in midfield last season and getting the combination of players right could be crucial.

Chelsea roster has some useful options in midfield yet it might require some further reinforcements.

CM (Regista): Jorginho

There are few better players in his position across Europe, he would be the first player on the teamsheet as he was perhaps the most vital component of the attractive Napoli side which won hearts of every football fan last season.

Jorginho's transfer to Chelsea is seen as key for the club's transition to a more expansive playing style. This is further reinforced by the fact that Chelsea stole him right under the nose of Pep Guardiola's Manchester city who made him as their primary midfield target this summer.

The Italian can dictate the tempo of the play, recycles the ball effectively and is an excellent reader of the game. He has registered more passes than any Central midfielder in Europe last season (as per Whoscored). Jorginho will be the man who will make Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea tick.

With Jorginho being a lock at the regista role, the other two midfield slots are up for grabs.

Central Midfield (RCM): N'Golo Kanté

World Cup Champions France Portrait Session

The tireless French midfielder has proved to be an invaluable addition to Chelsea. A humble character on and even more so off the pitch, words fail to capture the true worth of the midfield maestro.

He is one of the few world class players that Chelsea can boast to have in their ranks. The past 3 years of his career has seen him winning 2 Premier League titles, an FA cup, Premier League Player Of The Year and a World Cup!

N'Golo Kanté's tireless running has been well documented but more impressive is the diminutive midfielder's impeccable reading of the game. There are few better ball winners in world football and he will only get better. He could, however, improve on his game in the attacking final third of the pitch. Under Sarri's tutelage, he could potentially become one of the best all-action midfielders in world football.

Central Midfield (LCM): Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League

The Chelsea academy product spent the last season on loan at Crystal Palace where he earned plenty of plaudits. This was, in reality, his first regular season in senior professional football where he played regularly and he did not fail to make an impression. Even after missing two months due to injury, England manager Gareth Southgate saw enough to take him to the World cup where he did his reputation no harm in his limited opportunities.

Under Sarri, he can play on the left-hand side of the midfield and combine with Hazard and Emerson. His close control, dribbling ability and vision are rarely found with the physicality and 6ft 3inch frame that Ruben's blessed with.

This season should see Ruben Loftus-Cheek cement his place in the Chelsea squad as his skillset is not replicated by anyone at Chelsea and by few in the Premier League. However, Chelsea's reported pursuit of Aleksandr Golovin and Miralem Pjanic could leave him surplus to requirements which may result in him leaving on loan in search of regular football.

Wingers

Left Wing(LW): Eden Hazard

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

The Belgian wizard has been dominating the Premier League ever since his arrival at Chelsea in 2012. Few could claim to be better than him in world football and that list just got narrowed down even more after his top-notch performances in the World Cup.

Perhaps Chelsea's biggest signing could be tying Eden to a long-term contract and fending off the interest of Real Madrid. Now whether or not the interest from Real Madrid too much to resist is anyone's guess really.

Eden Hazard has played a key role in whatever success Chelsea has achieved ever since he has joined them. His dribbling ability, turn of pace and link up play is second to none in the Premier League and questions are rightly asked whether he can reach another level so as to be counted in the elite bracket of players (Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo).

The new season could very well see a more ruthless and destructive Eden Hazard as the new manager Sarri's system is tailor-made to bring the best out of a player like him.

Right Wing (RW): Leon Bailey

FBL-GER-BUNDESLIGA-LEVERKUSEN-FRANKFURT

Chelsea have reportedly been interested in him for quite some time. His rumoured price tag of more than 60 million Euros could complicate matters. However, if the past season is any indication, every penny could very well be worth it. Leon Bailey could be the long-awaited left-footed winger who can compliment Hazard on the opposite flank.

The Jamaican is blessed with blistering pace combined with dribbling ability at high speeds. He has a good long ranger in his locker and is a good finisher. He is far from the finished product but is a coveted talent across Europe. If a move to Chelsea materialises, expect him to line up as the right-sided inverted winger at Chelsea.

Striker (ST): Alvaro Morata

Chelsea FC v Perth Glory

The Spaniard endured a challenging first campaign in England. He has been linked with a move away to Italy but for now, it is far from certain. If he stays at Chelsea was then he could be the preferred choice to lead the line.

Chelsea paid a club record fee to lure the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge but the striker has failed to live up to his price tag. The good news is that he is still young and showed glimpses of what he could do last season. If Alvaro Morata can replicate his early season form like last year and sustain it throughout the season, expect Chelsea to challenge for the 2018-19 premier league title.

He has everything in his locker to be a top striker- Good link-up play, technically sound, good in the air, however, his finishing has left a lot to be desired. The problem looks more psychological rather than technical as he displayed lack of composure in front of the goal in many instances last season.

The silver lining is that 2018-19 season is a new start under a new system and a new manager and therefore, a good start to the season could be the impetus for Morata to have a successful second season at Chelsea.