https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔵" title="Blauer Kreis" aria-label="Emoji: Blauer Kreis">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Augen"> Thread ~ My first and only pre-season thread... it’s time to talk Chelsea!

Loads of potential value in our squad this season and the fixtures are kind to begin with.

Only my opinion of course but hopefully useful. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="♻️" title="Universelles Recycling-Symbol" aria-label="Emoji: Universelles Recycling-Symbol"> appreciated.

Current state of play injury wise...

~ James has a knock but should be ok for GW1.
~ Ziyech is touch and go but probably a doubt.
~ Pulisic won’t be playing GW1. No training since FA Cup final.
~ Chilwell a big doubt for GW1.
~ Thiago Silva is still on holiday.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📅" title="Kalender" aria-label="Emoji: Kalender"> Fixtures/

It’s a great start on paper. I’d say it gives two opportunities to jump on Chelsea. GW1 & GW3.

I’ve grouped the assets into GW1 considerations & GW3 considerations.

GW1 options/

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚽️" title="Fußball" aria-label="Emoji: Fußball"> Timo Werner / £9.5
~ A lock for me.
~ Brighton & Liverpool are two fixtures he’ll do well in with teams defending high.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🛡" title="Schild" aria-label="Emoji: Schild">Reece James / £5.0
~ Nailed early on imo. Azpi at LB.
~ Serious assist potential.
~ One for early Wildcarders imo.

GW3 options/

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🅰️" title="Invertierter quadratischer lateinischer Buchstabe A" aria-label="Emoji: Invertierter quadratischer lateinischer Buchstabe A"> Ziyech / £8.0
~ If he’s out GW1 then he should be back for GW3.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer"> Havertz / £8.5
~ Risk to jump on GW1, is he match fit? Where will he play etc? Answers by GW3.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🛡" title="Schild" aria-label="Emoji: Schild"> Chilwell / £5.5
~ He’ll be attacking and progressive.
~ Nailed as opposed to James...

Line up!

Defence/

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔒" title="Schloss" aria-label="Emoji: Schloss"> Chilwell & Thiago are locks in the defence longer term.

Zouma the other CB although Lamps will rotate it if we are losing games. Keep an eye for Ampadu though...

Reece/Azpi will share RB minutes. We will play 3 at the back at times to get them both in.

Line up... attack!

Usually we will go 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.

Mount Kante Havertz midfield for easier games, Kova in for tougher games.

Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic first choice front three.

With Tammy the options of Werner wing or 2 up top is there.

CONCLUSION/

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔥" title="Feuer" aria-label="Emoji: Feuer"> Werner is the one in GW1. He’s fit, pre-season form and nailed.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🛡" title="Schild" aria-label="Emoji: Schild"> Reece James a punt, probably shorter term until Chilwell is fit.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Augen"> Ziyech & Havertz, probably looking at GW3.

Final point/ when Pulisic is fit. Buy him!

Thanks for reading https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😀" title="Grinsendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Grinsendes Gesicht">