Chelsea vs. Stoke City: Predicting the Starting XI for the Opening Match

The preseason for Chelsea has been a successful one. Six wins in six games is a good omen for the team going into a season that many have as finishing outside the top two. But perhaps the most exciting thing for the club is how they got those six wins: through a constant rotation of players, young and old.

It is good news to see a squad that many thought would suffer on depth being able to play as many different players as they did to great effect. However, it makes the job of Andre Villas-Boas all that more difficult.

He has yet to declare a starting XI for Chelsea's opening match this Sunday away to Stoke. Even the only man who is really assured a spot does not know who will be joining him on the pitch. "Looking at who started on Saturday you cannot tell and the coaches still have this week to pick the best 11 players," keeper Petr Cech told reporters.

More than likely the boss will keep the list close to his sleeve right up to the final training session, so players remain competitive in practice and create a buzz around the team.

Here are my predictions for who will start in the opening match...

GK: Petr Cech

No explanation needed.

With van der Sar gone, he can reclaim the title as best keeper in the EPL.

RB: Paulo Ferreira

Ferreira had one of the best preseasons of any player on the team as he has seemed to reestablish himself as a serious contender for the right-back spot. He has gotten forward well and been spot on in his passing.

He has been playing like he did under Jose Mourinho when he was first brought to the club. There must be something about Portuguese managers that he prefers. Not to mention that Stoke's central style of play allows him to do what he does best: get forward.

With Ivanovic out with an injury, Ferreira looks like the best option in the RB spot. When the Serb returns things will be a little muddled, but there is no reason to think that if Ferreira has a good game he can't retain the spot.

CB: John Terry

Easy one to pick. Team captain. Veteran. And best defender they have.

He was the lynchpin in a defense that conceded only one goal all preseason and has shown that age has not slowed him down.

As long as the skipper is on the field, Chelsea always have a chance to win.

CB: Alex

With Ivanovic injured and David Luiz yet to play under AVB, Alex looks ready to make the start alongside Terry.

Many see David Luiz as the future for Chelsea’s back line, but Alex currently offers more in the way of reliability and presence. The Stoke forwards are big men who like to play in the chest of the defender. Alex outsizes both of them and should easily be able to handle anything they throw at him.

Alex has been linked to a move away from Stamford Bridge as he has found his playing time dwindle. Depending on how things pan out in the first half of the season, he may find himself on the outside looking in and request a transfer. But as of right now, he will probably get the start on Sunday.

LB: Ashley Cole

Another simple pick. Ashley Cole has been the most consistent player on the Chelsea team since he arrived in 2006.

He has continued the tradition this preseason, becoming a constant threat in the offense, linking up with Florent Malouda multiple times to create scoring chances.

Last year, he played in 47 games for the Blues, the second-most by any field player and started in most of them. This year AVB will look to cut back on the amount of playing time he gets as just to rest his aging legs.

But for the opener you can expect him to be out there and at his typical best.

CM: John Obi Mikel

With Michael Essien out until January, Chelsea have scrambled to try and find a replacement for the dynamic holding midfielder. So far they are yet to sign anyone who would bring an immediate consequence.

With Ramires yet to play under AVB, Mikel is the player most likely to get the start.

While fan opinion on the Nigerian fluctuates as much as his play, he would not be the worst option against Stoke. Mikel typically struggles with speed and quick tempo play. Stoke play a much more direct style, getting the balls up to their big forwards to hold while the midfield joins the attack in the center.

Mikel has gotten good playing time in the preseason, but has not shown that much in the way of awing the fans. To that same token though, he also has not been on the end of any disastrous plays and held onto the ball well.

Chelsea fans have been spoiled by Essien's ability to do it all. Mikel is a perfectly capable holding mid, but a much more traditional one.

AVB could be forced to choose Ramires if Mikel is unable to overcome an injury he suffered against Rangers. But nothing official has yet to be released.

CM: Frank Lampard

Lampard has struggled to pick up the flow and style of play AVB has asked the team to play. But he is also too much of a professional and leader to not start.

He is a legend at Stamford Bridge and it would be absolutely foolish from a PR standpoint to not have him start in AVB's first game of the season.

Lampard can have a pitiful game for 89 minutes, but he is always capable of making that one singular play that helps the team over the top. Even if it is just his impressive ability to score PKs, it is something that any coach would want on the field.

If he continues to struggle, some decisions may need to be made about his future with the club. But as of right now, his spot in the starting lineup is safe.

CAM: Yossi Benayoun

A model professional if there ever was one. Benayoun's first season with the club in 2010 was an unfortunate one. Plagued with injury, he was never quite able to get fit enough to get consistent playing time. This preseason, perhaps no other player have proved there worth as much as the Israeli.

He was purchased from Liverpool to bring some creativity to the midfield and that is exactly what he has done. He is great with the ball on his feet, has a deft touch and can finish with the very best of them.

His play has probably not surprised many on the coaching staff, as this is what was expected from him. But fans have now begun to take note and realize that he may be the answer to the midfield woes.

He has successfully connected with the forwards and wingers and drifts nicely into open space to receive the ball. AVB will reward his hard offseason work with a start on Sunday.

RW: Nicolas Anelka

Many thought that Nicolas Anelka would be the first victim of AVB in the transfer window. The 4-3-3 formation he uses makes Anelka the third CF and is not immediately preferred on the wing. Instead, the Frenchman has declared that he will fight for a starting spot and earn his way to a regular position.

Though the wing is not the ideal spot for him, Chelsea do not have any natural wingers to start. The best options they have are Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge. But Kalou is always a gamble and Sturridge is serving a suspension he picked up at Bolton last season. Anelka becomes the best choice.

He is not foreign to the position and will probably perform extremely well. It will also give the team added height on set pieces, which is always helpful. Anelka may not be the starting right winger for the entire season, but he should be on Sunday.

LW: Florent Malouda

Malouda had an up-and-down season last year, but was forced more to a role deep behind the attack than he would like. This season AVB will push him right up in the final third.

He has the essential attributes you would want in a winger, good passer, keen eye and smart. He also is great at cutting inside and running onto the ball for one-touch finishes. When Anelka, Drogba and him are in sync it is one of the most deadly trios in the game.

He has played well in the preseason, setting up numerous goals and looking as fit as ever. He will most likely command the left wing on Sunday.

CF: Didier Drogba

Someone must be looking over AVB because he avoided the decision that made put Carlo Ancelotti's job in jeopardy. Who do you start: Drogba or Torres?

Both have been good this preseason and both have found the net. Many believe Drogba has shown a little more promise and even AVB was rumored to tip him as the starter. But after Torres' concussion for Spain yesterday in a friendly against Italy, he will more than likely be ruled out on a precautionary basis.

When Torres is back, the decision may come down to who fares better against a certain opponent. But for right now, this makes it an easy and uncontroversial way to put Drogba up top.

Bench

Ross Turnbull: not much option here.

Salomon Kalou: provides fresh legs if a goal is needed late.

Josh McEachran: will probably see some playing time, as he was great in the preseason and has earned it.

Jose Bosingwa: has been good, but not as good as Ferreira.

David Luiz: will be used in a pinch.

Ramires: same as Luiz.

Patrick van Aanholt: Chelsea will more than likely take a lead, so the more defenders the better.

Conclusion

Of course, the final lineup is written in pencil up until game time, but these picks make the most sense to me given the injuries and players that are unable to play. The team will have many different looks throughout the season, but this will be the first sentence in chapter one of the AVB era.

Who do you think will start? Keep in mind Torres and Ivanovic will most likely be ruled out by injury, Daniel Sturridge is serving a suspension and Slobodan Rajkovic is without a work permit.