The most notable aspect of Thomas Tuchel's pre-match press conference ahead of this afternoon's match against Manchester City was the news that Mason Mount had picked up a knock that will rule him out for the re-run of last season's Champions League final.

Tuchel went on to add that the injury is not too serious but as we usually line up with Mount as a key fulcrum in the team, we felt it was a perfect opportunity to discuss which player we would pick in our lineup to replace Mount this weekend.

Tuchel has also confirmed Christian Pulisic will miss the match due to an injury he picked up on international duty with the United States national team.

Anita Abayomi

We face Manchester City in what could be an important match to determine this season's Premier League champions. With Mount unavailable due to injury, Tuchel has a couple of decisions to make ahead of Saturday afternoon’s early fixture.

The exclusion of Mount can throw away the expectation of including him in a consistent front three going forward. We have seen Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Mount rotate in that starting front 3 with the constant being Romelu Lukaku.

Mount has not necessarily had the best start to his Premier League campaign this season and this may be a worry for the Englishman.

So who should be starting in place of Chelsea’s star boy this weekend? I expect a pivot of Jorginho and Kante in midfield, but could we see Tuchel add an extra body? And possibly reward Ruben Loftus Cheek’s incredible midweek display with a spot behind the two attackers? I would be intrigued to see a midfield three of Jorginho, Kante, Loftus-Cheek behind Lukaku and Havertz.

I’m opting for a 3-5-2 not just because Mount is out injured but because it would serve us well to choke up the midfield against a strong city side and use Loftus-Cheek as a creative outlet.

I may be reaching for the stars with this lineup and Tuchel may go safe with a formation that we are all very used to. Assuming he sticks with the 3-4-3, I expect Ziyech to take that last slot in attack alongside Lukaku and Havertz.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Mason Mount of Chelsea applauds the fans after the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Mason Mount missing todays match

Jai McIntosh

Initially, Mount being out seems like a major issue for Chelsea. However, his slightly shaky performances in the Premier League over recent weeks have generated discussions about the need for him to have an extended break; this is the first time in his three seasons in the Chelsea first team he will have missed a game due to injury, so it is about time he has a rest.

Mount's omission opens the door for potential experimentation. I anticipate Jorginho and Kante start in the double pivot, despite Kovacic's impressive start to the season. Kovacic deserves a start, however, City's desire to dominate possession means that Kante will be the more useful player due to his tenacity and ability to break up play.

Mount has been starting as part of an attacking triptych alongside Lukaku and Havertz. However, City's high press means that Timo Werner may play alongside Lukaku and therefore the final spot is free. The options would be Ziyech, Havertz, and Loftus-Cheek. There is little doubt that, out of the three, Havertz is the superior player, but based on his mid-week performance, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be a much-needed curveball for Chelsea to use.

His physicality, technical ability, and desire to earn his place in Chelsea's starting line-up suggest that Ruben would be the ideal Mount replacement if Tuchel is willing to adapt his formation. However, if Tuchel wishes to continue with a two striker formation, then a front three of Havertz, Werner, and Lukaku would almost certainly be the most effective.

Jake Stokes

Mount's omission from the team comes as a massive blow to Chelsea and Tuchel, however, his absence can pave the opening to new life for a handful of exciting talent hungry to flaunt their artistry.

Loftus-Cheek impressed against Aston Villa - and dare I say - showed glimpses of his best self from Maurizio Sarri's tenure at the Bridge. Additionally, Ziyech has struggled to reinvigorate the fruitful start he enjoyed in the dawning stages of the season while Kovacic, Jorginho and Kante are all enjoying arguably the best form of their lives.

However, despite the star-studded midfield trio at Tuchel's available to compensate for Mount's tirelessness and quality at either end of the field, a start for Ziyech against City could prove to be the catalyst for his revival.

The 28-year-old creative technician has scored in each of his last appearances against Guardiola and has proved that he thrives off high-pressure bouts; Ziyech possesses a unique calmness, courage and world-class quality to produce the game-winning pass, skill and goal.

Hakim Zjyech celebrates scoring against Manchester City
Hakim Zjyech celebrates scoring against Manchester City in the league earlier this year

Should he start, Ziyech would likely feature on the right of Tuchel's front three and cause havoc with his tendencies to drop deep, cut inside and pluck out delicately lofted passes.

His positional habits and relationship with Reece James arm Tuchel with an extra arrow in his bow that has previously left City's left-backs puzzled before, whether they mark the Moroccan, Englishman or the space.

Ziyech's inclusion could be potent.

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Scott Clayton

With no Mount for this weekend, I'm ready for Tuchel to mix it up and keep Pep guessing. I know it's very hard to leave Havertz out of the side but, like Mount, he has struggled in the last few game weeks and for this, I would bench him.

I would start Werner up front alongside Lukaku and play three of Jorginho, Kovacic and Kante in midfield. This will then hopefully give us legs to control the game, especially given the way Kovacic has played so far this season with his new number eight role, to match his squad number. I'm okay with having Kante and Kovacic both having a bit of a free role to close down but one stays put to always keep a two in midfield.

I think the pace Werner has will be ideal to stretch City as they will likely push high up and give up space in behind. I really hope if this is what happens that Werner times his runs a little better. He's too fast to be getting marginally offside.

I think the back-up options of Ziyech and Havertz when City start to get tired in the second half will be a real asset to Tuchel's plan. I've been enjoying the two forward partnerships. I'm a little old school in the sense that I still long for the days we opt for a front pairing rather than a lone player. I love forward partnerships and this one is looking like it could work particularly well. Lukaku has looked more into the game when Werner is on the field.

I'm more than open for Havertz to play a little deeper in the two-man midfield but I'm fearful we might need to dig deep to control the game in the first half and that three I pick gives me a little more confidence.

Who would you start in the front three roles this weekend? Follow our CareFreeChelsea Anita, Jai, Jake and Scott on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.