PREDICTED CHELSEA LINEUP AGAINST EVERTON AS KALOU FORESEES BLUES WIN

Chelsea will begin their 2022/23 Premier League campaign with an away trip to Goodison Park as they face Frank Lampard’s Everton side on Saturday evening. Heading into the game, manager Thomas Tuchel does not have any major injury concerns, although exit-linked striker Timo Werner is a doubt due to a thigh issue.

Youngster Armando Broja is also a slight doubt due to an ankle problem he picked up in pre-season, although the Albanian international is expected to be available against Everton. New signings Carney Chukwuemeka and Marc Cucurella might not be involved, though, given they have hardly had any time to train with their new teammates.

Tuchel is likely to stick with his preferred three-man backline against Everton on Saturday. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who signed a new two-year deal earlier this week, should start at the back, alongside fellow veteran Thiago Silva. Summer signing Kalidou Koulibaly should make his Premier League debut, slotting in as the third central defender for Chelsea, with Edouard Mendy in goal.

Reece James is a guaranteed starter in the right-sided wing-back slot, while Ben Chilwell should feature on the opposite flank, with Marcos Alonso headed out of the club and Cucurella only recently arriving. It will be interesting to see if Tuchel decides to hand some minutes to the Spaniard at some stage of the contest.

Moving into the centre of the park, the Chelsea manager is likely to count on the brilliance of N’Golo Kante, who will be keen on starting well after an injury-riddled campaign last time out. The Frenchman should be partnered by Mateo Kovacic, with the likes of Jorginho and Conor Gallagher providing options from the bench.

Chelsea Predicted XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, James, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell, Mount, Sterling, Havertz

Former Chelsea star Salomon Kalou has urged the Blues to seal a comfortable win against the Toffees.