Chelsea FC: How Should the Blues Line Up Against Bayer Leverkusen?

Finally, the UEFA Champions League is back. This Tuesday and Wednesday, Europe's top teams will be playing their first match of the group stage. It has seemed like a long time since Barcelona beat Manchester United in the last Champions League final and it's great for these highly-anticipated clashes to restart.

Of course, this is just the group stage. Only a few of Europe's elite will actually be facing each other in the opening six games (like AC Milan and Barcelona). However, no matter which teams are playing, the Champions League always provides superb, exciting matches. 

This Tuesday, Chelsea plays Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge. After a fairly poor start to the season, the Blues were great against Sunderland on Saturday, despite the unconvincing 2-1 scoreline. The question for manager Andre Villas-Boas is: what sort of team should be played against the German opponents?

Is it worth fielding a younger and experimental side rather than stick with the players who impressed during the weekend? I think that Chelsea should do a little of both. 

Here are my predictions for Chelsea's starting 11 against Bayer Leverkusen.

GK: Petr Cech

Petr Cech was out for a month after damaging his knee ligaments, but he has made a quick recovery and played at Sunderland on Saturday.

The inclusion of Cech in midweek is guaranteed. The Czech International has been Chelsea's No. 1 since the early Mourinho days and will probably keep his spot for another seven plus years. 

RB: Jose Bosingwa

Before the start of the season, I never could have guessed that Jose Bosingwa would be the starting right-back for the first four EPL matches. 

The Portuguese has been great and Chelsea fans will hope that he can maintain his form.

His goal against Norwich City shows fans that the Blues may once again have two attacking full-backs (along with Ashley Cole).

Last season, Branislav Ivanovic didn't offer enough going forward while Ashley Cole looked as if he was playing forward at times. Having Bosingwa in form is great for Chelsea's attacking play.

But if the 29-year-old shows that his defending is a problem, Villas-Boas may revert to Ivanovic.

CB: John Terry

John Terry was absolutely superb against Sunderland.

There have been many discussions in past years that Chelsea's older players aren't good enough to be starters, but Terry showed that he is still one of the world's best center-backs. His defending was great and his goal certainly helped as the Blues beat the Black Cats.

The Chelsea captain seems capable of playing on a regular basis, as his fitness is good. For now, Terry doesn't have to worry about losing his spot in center defense. 

CB: David Luiz

David Luiz hasn't played for Chelsea this season after a minor injury kept him sidelined in August. The Brazilian was great last season after his January move and didn't find it too difficult to be the first choice center-back.

It may be different this season. With Bosingwa establishing himself as starting right-back, Ivanovic is now fighting for the center defense position. 

Luiz faces competition from Ivanovic and Alex, who have both been good in their outings so far this season (apart from Alex's momentary collapse against West Brom). But it would be a good idea for Villas-Boas to use a Luiz-Terry partnership in defense against Bayer Leverkusen. It worked well last season and this midweek game would be a great time for the new Chelsea manager to try using the Brazilian.

LB: Ashley Cole

Another obvious one. Chelsea only have two left-backs, Ashley Cole and Ryan Betrand, after Yuri Zhirkov and Patrick Van Aanholt left the team (sale and loan respectively).

Bertrand will certainly find limited time this campaign but will be used in domestic cup games and as a substitute in other matches. 

Cole hasn't started this season too well but that pretty much applies to all of Chelsea's players. Still, I believe he'll give Bayer Leverkusen a hard time on Tuesday. 

CDM: John Obi Mikel

On Saturday, Obi Mikel didn't feature for Chelsea as he had been traveling a lot while on international duty with Nigeria. Well, that was the reason for his exclusion. It's somewhat assumed that the 24-year-old has lost his spot in the starting 11. 

Mikel has never been the most liked player at Chelsea but is still a good defensive player.

Against Leverkusen, the Blues won't need a defensive midfielder who also attacks, like we saw with Raul Meireles. I think Mikel should play on Tuesday but he shouldn't be starting on a regular basis.

CM: Ramires

Ramires is starting to pay back the €22 million that Chelsea spent last year. He didn't start well at Stamford Bridge but is now proving that he deserves a starting spot in midfield.

The Brazilian is young and his energy dramatically helps the Blues.

At 24-years-old, there's no worries about playing Ramires too often.

CM: Frank Lampard

Lampard's situation is a little different from Ramires'. The English playmaker hasn't been at his best this season and shows some signs of slowing down.

However, Lampard is still a superb player. If he can keep his fitness at a high level, he'll not be dropped.

Playing three games every two weeks is a big task after reaching the age of 32. But, for now, it looks like Frank Lampard can handle it. 

RW: Juan Mata

Juan Mata has been superb since moving to Chelsea last month. While it took Torres 14 games to score his first Chelsea goal, Mata needed just 32 minutes to put the ball in the back of the net.

The Spanish winger has given the Blues more depth and creativity.

Mata usually plays on the left but Villas-Boas should try deploying the Spaniard on the right for this game. 

CF: Daniel Sturridge

After a three game suspension, Daniel Sturridge started the Sunderland match on the right wing. He was great throughout and contributed with a goal. It seems that, in this case, money isn't what buys Chelsea's attacking success.

At the Stadium of Light, the Blues used Mata, Anelka and Sturridge in their attack. Both Anelka and Sturridge cost Chelsea under £10 million (though Mata did cost a lot). And Torres, the £50 million man, was on the bench.

Sturridge should play in the center on Tuesday. This may end up being a bad idea as the Englishman is usually used on the wing.

Still, we know that he can score goals and can also use his head from crosses coming from the wing.

LW: Florent Malouda

Malouda should start on the left wing against Bayer after being dropped at Sunderland.

The Frenchman hasn't had a great start to this season after poor performances in the opening three games. He will want to find the form that helped Chelsea win the Double two seasons ago. 

The 31-year-old isn't done yet and will want to regain his first team spot. That'll be hard with Mata in his left wing spot. If Villas-Boas tries using the Spaniard on the right, it will enable the Frenchman to start on the left wing.

For the game on Tuesday, Malouda will be helpful to Chelsea. 

Conclusion

As I said earlier, this isn't the team that should be starting for Chelsea on a regular basis.

I don't underestimate Bayer Leverkusen at all but I feel this match would be an opportunity for changes to be made. 

Here is an overview of the team I think should play on Tuesday:

GK: Cech

RB: Bosingwa

CB: Terry

CB: Luiz

LB: Cole

DM: Mikel

CM: Ramires

CM: Lampard

RW: Mata

CF: Sturridge

LW: Malouda

Thank you and feel free to comment.