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Chelsea FC’s Predicted Starting Lineup 2016/2017

By Tyler Strauss

(Top L-R) Chelsea's Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, Chelsea's French defender Kurt Zouma, Chelsea's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic, Chelsea's English defender John Terry and Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (bottom L-R) Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Oscar, Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea's Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman, Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires and Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian pose before a UEFA Chamions league group stage football match between Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge stadium in west London on November 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
(Top L-R) Chelsea's Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, Chelsea's French defender Kurt Zouma, Chelsea's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic, Chelsea's English defender John Terry and Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa (bottom L-R) Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Oscar, Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea's Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman, Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires and Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian pose before a UEFA Chamions league group stage football match between Chelsea and Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge stadium in west London on November 4, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) /
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DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 10: Mats Hummels (R) of Borussia Dortmund in action against Harry Kane (L) of Tottenham Hotspurs during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspurs at Signal-Iduna stadium in Dortmund, Germany on March10, 2016. (Photo by Leon Kuegeler/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 10: Mats Hummels (R) of Borussia Dortmund in action against Harry Kane (L) of Tottenham Hotspurs during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspurs at Signal-Iduna stadium in Dortmund, Germany on March10, 2016.(Photo by Leon Kuegeler/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Mats Hummels

This will be the surprise inclusion into the side for most readers. I would like to think that Chelsea have the solutions to their defensive problems in their loan army or youth academy. For example, Andreas Christensen, Jake Clark-Salter, Tomas Kalas or Kenneth Omeruo.

Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC /

Chelsea FC

However, knowing Chelsea, their wealth of youth talent won’t be enough. They’ll have to dip into the market for at least one centre back. John Stones was traditionally the man they were after. Conte would like the Englishman as he can play well with his feet. However, he’s shown this season that he’s still not 100% ready for Chelsea. Furthermore, it’ll be tough to sign him as Everton has made their stance firmly known.

That being said, they’ll probably be after someone who can slot into the side immediately. Mats Hummels may just be that man. The German defender is one of the best in the world, currently plying his trade for Borussia Dortmund. You get the feeling he’s itching for a different challenge, as he’s been linked away from the side the last few years. Especially if they fail to beat Bayern again this season, he may be tempted to move on from the Westfalenstadion and see a new opportunity.

This position is not necessarily set in stone, as there are many players Chelsea could move for. Perhaps they’ll seek to prize away Diego Godin from Atletico, pursuing yet another asset from the Madrid side. Or maybe they’ll consider Aymeric Laporte or even Eziquel Garay.

It’ll be interesting to see who the Blues pursue in the transfer window. But you have to think they’ll go after a centre back, most likely one that will be ready to lead Chelsea’s defense. And Hummels would do the job just fine.

Next: Left Centre Back

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