This is the Chelsea team news and an attempted predicted lineup as they take on Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup. This not only marks their arrival into the tournament but also the first match in charge for the newly appointed Liam Rosenior. It will be intriguing to see what moves he makes to the tactics and whether he goes strong off the bat or uses this as a chance to take a punt on some of the fringe players and academy graduates who could help them through the rest of the term.
Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Charlton
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Both Rob Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have started in goal recently, with Sanchez only missing out due to a smaller issue, this could see him rested here. The back line has featured Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Wes Fofana, Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Josh Acheampong in recent weeks due to injuries and rest forcing rotations.
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James has also stepped into midfield with Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez starting there. Enzo can be pushed forward to the number ten spot where Cole Palmer has also played. Palmer was pushed to the wing where Pedro Neto and Estevao have started since the departure of Enzo Maresca.
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Liam Delap and Joao Pedro have been trading the striker spot with the Englishman tipped to start usually after his strong adjustment since the managerial change.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
The base setup has still been a 4-2-3-1 with some alterations to change the focus of the system. There is a bigger emphasis in recent fixtures of letting Gusto maraud forward as a standard full-back with Palmer’s return to the right wing allowing him to invert to central spaces. The pivot has seemed more settled with Enzo moving to the ten instead of pushing up. The team still builds up slowly and uses passes to try and create space.
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With just two wins in their last eleven matches across all competitions, things have not been ideal for the Blues. Their league form has cratered with no wins in the league since December 13, the win against Cardiff makes their record look slightly better but their defensive woes are making it impossible to eke out wins.
Chelsea Team News
There were no updates provided in the manager’s press conference. It being the first of Roesnior’s tenure meant the questions focused mostly around him and his thoughts instead of the player availability. That means we can only go off what is available on PremierInjuries and the injury news known from before the Fulham clash.
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Cucurella was sent off and will serve his suspension, Romeo Lavia is hurt, Mykhailo Muryk is suspended, Levi Colwill is still out with his ACL tear, and Dario Essugo has had no update provided. There are some names who will have to be rested for Arsenal so Enzo, Delap, James, Chalobah, and others might stay on the bench for this one.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
One almost guaranteed starter is Caicedo, the midfielder is suspended for the Carabao Cup semi-final so this is a chance for him to keep his match fitness up.
GK – Filip Jorgensen
LB – Jorrel Hato
CB – Wes Fofana
CB – Tosin Adarabioyo
RB – Josh Acheampong
DM – Moises Caicedo
DM – Andrey Santos
W – Alejandro Garnacho
AM – Facundo Buonanotte
W – Estevao
ST – Joao Pedro
Featured Image Credits
IMAGO / Sportimage