Who Will Start for Chelsea in Their Season Opener?

It's crazy that while facing both a transfer ban and the departure of their star player, there are premier league clubs in a worse spot than Chelsea. Unable to sign any players, Chelsea legend turned manager, Frank Lampard is going to have to dig deep in order to construct the perfect Chelsea squad. Here's what I think Chelsea's starting XI will look like when they take on Manchester United in their first game of the season on August 11th.

GK- This a no-brainer. The young Spanish keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga was brought in for a club-record fee of $89 million to replace Thibaut Courtois who left Stamford Bridge for Real Madrid. In my opinion, Kepa did exceptionally well last season and he seemed to fit into the Premier League handily. Kepa ranked third in the league with 14 clean sheets. Second only to Ederson and Alisson. He also recorded 82 saves on the season. Kepa is only 24 and with Chelsea legend, Petr Cech back at the club in a coaching role, I'm excited to see if Kepa can improve on what I think was a very successful debut season.

CB - Now, last season I had my doubts about David Luiz. A bit clumsy at times, the Brazilian center-back often seemed to lose control or be overwhelmed by the leagues top teams. Now, 32-years-old, Luiz is going to need to prove that his best football is not behind him. I think Luiz has the potential to thrive under a manager like Frank Lampard. Luiz will most likely be a huge a part of a Chelsea squad with a lot of young pieces. His experience is precious and he'd be my pick as a starter for opening weekend. He just needs to stay focus and not lose his temper.

CB- Now, I'd pick Antonio Rudiger but I don't think he's going to be healthy in time for Chelsea's clash with United. In his place, I think Andreas Christensen will step up. The Danish center-back has shown tremendous promise. It seems like Christensen has the perfect opportunity to shine. With Rudiger still recovering and a new manager at the helm, Christensen needs to seize this opportunity. Now, he won't take Rudiger's spot, but with Luiz aging, he could be his long-term replacement. Big year for the young center-back.

LB- Now this one is a no-brainer. I believe that Marcos Alonso would be on his way out the door if there was no transfer ban. Instead, Chelsea needs all hands on deck. Does that mean he'll play? I don't think so. My pick would be Emerson Palmieri. The 24-year-old stepped up last season when Marcos Alonso fell out of favor with manager Maurizio Sarri. Like Christensen, this season will be huge for Emerson. He was good last season but there's definitely room for improvement. If he wants to remain at Chelsea, he needs to have a big season. I think he's up for the challenge and I expect him to start week 1.

RB- The 29-year-old Spanish international is in the prime of his career. Ceaser Azpilicueta captained Chelsea last year as he primarily played right back. Now, he will most likely do it again. Nothing surprising here but had to mention it nonetheless.

CAM- Now this has been nagging me for quite a while. After a breakthrough season last year, I'd pick Ruben Loftus-Cheek as my starting CAM but he is currently nursing a torn achilles injury and his timetable for a return is unclear. In his place, I expect either Mateo Kovacic or Ross Barkley to start. My pick would be Kovacic. Both Kovacic and Barkley had moments of brilliance last season but they both lacked consistency and they struggled to make impacts in big games. Whoever starts, will most likely split time with the counterpart on the bench. Either option is a solid one but I think Kovacic will get the nod. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

CDM- After a season in which he played a bit out of position, I think N'golo will return to more of a defensive role. Last year, Sarri had him playing more of an attacking role. There's nothing wrong with this but he's a sensational defender. I think he'll play alongside Jorginho in more of a defensive role this year. Jorginho playing more of an anchor role will allow Kante to roam in the midfield. Something he excels at. I think there's something big in store for Chelsea this year with the duo of Kante and Jorginho.

CDM- Remember last year when I was calling for Jorginho's head? Yeah well, opinions can change, right? Jorginho has grown on me and I think he will be a big part of the Chelsea squad this upcoming season. Why? Because he's reliable and I think Kante will be used to his full potential defensively which will take some pressure off of Jorginho. Jorginho will sit in front of the back four and dictate play. Jorginho and Kante are going to run Chelsea this year.

ST- Alvaro Morata out? God bless. Gonzalo Higuain gone? Yessir. Who's left? Olivier Giroud. The French world cup winner is my pick to not only start week 1 of this upcoming season but the entire season. The 32-year-old started every game for France last summer in the World Cup despite not scoring a single goal. I bet people will see this and scoff but Chelsea literally don't have anyone else. Perhaps Michy Batshuayi can throw his hat in the ring but I see him as the first or second man used off the bench. Olivier is a big body that can be used as a target striker. Chelsea's wingers and attacking midfielders can play off of him and I think that's exactly what they will do. Most of Chelsea's goals will come from their wingers and midfielders so why not cater to them?

LW- Last season, there was plenty of frustration surrounding Willian. The 30-year-old Brazilian only recorded 3 goals and 6 assists in Premier League play last season. There's no reason he shouldn't have at least 10 of each. I think Willian will start week 1 against Manchester United. Even so, if he wants to remain a starter for the remainder of the season, he will need to play much better and his production will have to see a dramatic boost.

RW- Despite Chelsea having a pair of young and promising wingers, I'm going with experience here. Pedro is my first choice right-winger and like Willian, Pedro's production needs to increase. His 8 goals and 2 assists are well below his paygrade regardless of the fact that he's 31-years-old. Pedro and Willian should combine for 20 goals and 20 assists. With no Eden Hazard to carry the team, they'll need to step up big-time. And I think they will with Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi hot on their heels and itching for playing time.

So there's my opening weekend lineup. It has a lot to do with who is healthy but also the fact that Chelsea's season opener is a trip to Old Trafford. A game that will most likely be a close and exciting one.

So with Chelsea's lineup picked, here's who I think will make an impact of the bench for the Blues.

Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi- Both players will begin the season in two different places. Pulisic will be healthy and I believe he'll start his career as frequent flyer off the bench. The young American had a huge Gold Cup in which he led the US to the final and he secured the young player of the tournament award. Pulisic is someone who will battle with Willian and Pedro for playing time and I'm super excited to see him take the field for Chelsea. Dream scenario: super-sub against United in which he scores the game-winner. That would be a hell of a way to kick off your Chelsea career.

On the other hand, Hudson-Odoi will most likely miss the beginning of the season as he nurses an achilles tear he suffered in late April. According to the Metro, he's making a speedy recovery and he could return as soon as late August. I wish Hudson-Odoi a fast recovery and once he returns to match fitness, I think he is going to be a huge part of this Chelsea squad. The young English international is only 18 but his potential has the attention of clubs like Bayern Munich who are trying to swoop in and acquire his services. Like Pulisic, I think Hudson-Odoi will feature of the bench when he returns. But if Pedro and Willian struggle to produce like they did last season, the sky is the limit for both Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi.

The Batsman- Michy Batshuayi just seems like a great dude. I hope Lampard doesn't loan him out again and I don't think he will considering Chelsea's lack of depth at the striker position. The 25-year-old only has a 32-year-old Olivier Giroud standing in his way of becoming a regular in the Chelsea starting XI. This is a big season for the young Belgian striker. He'll need to impress Lampard if he wishes to make Chelsea his home. He should strive to score at least 10 goals in the Prem this season. A feat think he can easily accomplish and surpass.

Ross Barkley- Ah... Ross Barkley. This player would either make me jump from my seat in amazement or turn the TV off in disgust. Barkley needs to become more consistent. Something I think one of the best midfielders of all time. Frank Lampard, can help with. If Barkley can become more efficient, he could become a huge part of this Chelsea team. But until then, he will remain a liability that has the potential to be a star. This goes for Kovacic as well. Chelsea just signed him permanently after he was loaned out to the Blues last season from Real Madrid. Both players need to cement themselves and this season provides them with a chance to do so

Mason Mount- Can the 20-year-old make the Chelsea first squad? With Hudson-Odoi, Loftus-Cheek, and Rudiger all set to miss the beginning of the season, why not bring in some young talent? Mount has massive potential and it would be stupid to not give him a shot this season unless he is loaned out. Mount could be a dark-horse player for the Blues this season.

So if Chelsea fields this exact lineup does that mean that they'll offer me a job? Sadly no but perhaps they'll win some games. This lineup is not the strongest in the league but it's a solid one and with a transfer ban, Chelsea needs to work with what they got. Don't be fooled. Just because they don't have the star power of Liverpool and Manchester City, doesn't mean they can't compete. This is the most excited I've ever been to watch Chelsea. I'm hoping for big things this season and I hope Frank Lampard is up for the challenge.

Honorable mention: If Timeoue Bakayoko isn't loaned out or sold, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some minutes. Probably off the bench for Jorginho or Kante. After a strong season at AC Milan, I wouldn't sleep on him.