This is the line up i would play tonight:

--------------Johnston-------------
Munoz--Andersen--Richards--Mitchell
-----Hughes----Lerma---Wharton-----
---------------Franca--------------
---------Ayew----------Mateta------

With Munoz encouraged to get forward as much as possible with Hughes covering his position, and if Franca isn't doing it, swap with Ahamada or drop Ayew back and bring Edouard on to partner Mateta

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

Roy’s programme notes for today,
‘ Tonight we face a tough task against a Chelsea side packed with full internationals prised from some of the best teams in Europe…their team will be set up to be energetic and fast in attack and we will make sure we are at our most disciplined to deal with that threat.’

In other words 10 behind the ball and no chance for Franca or Ahamada.
He’s going for a narrow defeat.

Sounds like it, but did we really expect anything different? Hodgson doesn't trust either of our two young attacking midfielders (Franca and Ahamada) so it's likely to be Hughes and Schlupp and possibly Ward in a back 3?

As someone posted on an Athletic article, we're facing another "GroundHodgeday"

Edited by doombear (12 Feb 2024 10.40am)

Lanzo

Swap Alhamada with the more dependable ‘get stuck in’ Hughes and you have a good team that won’t get overrun by Chelsea and could hurt them on occasions.

Edited by XKudu (12 Feb 2024 11.32am)

It's not really a game we really need to win (or expect to win).

Give Franca and Ahamada a start.

It gives them game time before games we must win against Luton and Burnley.

This would be my team but Edouard has to promise to work hard as he would probably be taking the left forward spot which will require him to track back. I see it as a 4-5-1 defensively and 4-2-3-1 when attacking. With Rak Sakhi injured you could argue for Ahamada to take the right attacking position and swap Ayew to the left but I think your team works as is.