Mujahid personal

  Kepa Arrizabalaga was a surprise inclusion in the Chelsea team against Newcastle United on Monday night. It's safe to say many expected  Edouard Mendy  to be in between the sticks at Stamford Bridge, given he has done so ever since returning to the side for the goalless draw away at Manchester United in late October. However, the Senegal international's 18-game streak was ended against the Magpies with  Chelsea  head coach Thomas Tuchel opting to reward  Kepa  for a strong performance in the FA Cup fifth-round win over Barnsley. And Kepa responded by keeping his first Premier League clean sheet of the season as the Blues recorded a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner. But some Chelsea fans have spotted something rather interesting about Kepa's recall. It has been discussed on Reddit that Mendy leant the Spaniard one of his big towels and that is a theory behind the latter keeping a clean sheet. u/sjajsnZiyech said: "Kepa borro...

  Chelsea entertain Newcastle United on Monday night as the Blues are looking to make it five wins in a row in all competitions under new head coach Thomas Tuchel. Tammy Abraham scored the only goal in Thursday’s win against an impressive and resolute Barnsley side as he fired Tuchel’s men into the quarter-final of the FA Cup. ( BBC ) Newcastle come into the game off the back of two wins in their last three games in the Premier League as pressure has slightly eased on manager Steve Bruce. Since the former PSG head coach replaced Frank Lampard, there is no question Tuchel has made a positive impression. Firstly, by changing to a back three and secondly defensively looking a lot more organised as the Blues have only conceded once in five games under the German. Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images After  Liverpool’s 3-1 loss  away at Leicester, a win against the Magpies would see Chelsea go two points clear of last seasons champions and leapfrog them into fourth. In the ...

  Thomas Tuchel speaks very openly and engagingly on what goes on behind the scenes at Chelsea, and journalists who ask good questions often get good answers. At the press conference on Friday someone clearly asked a good question about Ben Chilwell, who has been out of the team recently, and Nizaar Kinsella of  Goal.com  had the manager’s response when asked about the left back situation: “I took the choice for Marcos [Alonso] where we played with a five because he was more familiar with the position. He played there under Antonio Conte and we opted for Marcos against Burnley for his strengths in the air for headers to defend and attack set-pieces. “Marcos had a really good match where he scored a decisive goal and from there it was hard to come back for Tottenham. We didn’t make changes in this position. I spoke to him before the Tottenham match and said you have to trust me now that I see your talent and potential.” It’s an area of concern for many Blues fans, who are ...