Predicted Chelsea XI to face Real Madrid: Silva, Kante, Felix & Havertz return as Lampard eyes shock progression

Chelsea have it all to do in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard’s side see their Champions League hopes for this season hanging by a thread after a 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu last Wednesday in the first leg.

Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio have put Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the ascendancy heading into the return tie in the English capital, which sees them needing to avoid losing by more than one goal to seal their spot in the semi-finals and continue the defence of their European crown.

It’s a tough ask for Lampard and Co after a difficult week since his appointment at Chelsea on a caretaker basis. They have lost all three of their matches under the 44-year-old and the task only gets bigger when Real visit west London, which will also see former Blues boss Ancelotti return to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard made six changes for the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion after giving the likes of Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante a chance to recover for the crucial European clash.

So how could Chelsea line-up against Real Madrid?

Possible XI: Kepa, James, Silva, Fofana, Cucurella, Fernandez, Kante, Mount, Mudryk, Havertz, Felix

Kepa Arrizabalaga will keep his place in goal, while Silva is set to return to the starting XI after being rested against Brighton. Kalidou Koulibaly (hamstring) and Ben Chilwell (suspended) are out, which may see Marc Cucurella begin on the left-hand side.

Kante and Felix were also rested against Brighton so could return. Kai Havertz missed Saturday’s defeat due to a minor knee problem and will be itching to return to the starting XI.

Mykhailo Mudryk will fancy his chances of retaining his starting role after a bright display versus Brighton. Conor Gallagher was lauded by Lampard post-match at the weekend, giving him a chance of making the starting team.

Lampard knows his players will ‘give it a good go’ but insists they have to be more ruthless if they want to have a chance of producing a magical night at Stamford Bridge.

“We had opportunities last week to make the scoreline better, but we could’ve done a lot of things better,” the Chelsea caretaker boss said.

“We have to improve tomorrow (Tuesday) to have a better chance to turn the game around. I know the players have the capacity to give this a good go.”