Liam Rosenior faces a tough trial early on as he is tasked with an EFL Cup semi-final tie with Arsenal in one of his first matches in charge. This will be a good measuring stick for the new coach to get a feel for his squad and tactics as he takes on the most flawless machine currently in English football. We will feature the most recent team news for this tie as well as offer a predicted lineup for the first leg.
Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal
How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently
Rob Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have played in goal recently with the Dane getting a rare chance to impress due to cup rotation and a brief injury. The back line has been all about availability as Marc Cucurella, Jorrel Hato, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Wes Fofana, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, and Reece James have all featured in the defensive four in recent fixtures.
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James has also played in the pivot where Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, and Moises Caicedo have featured. Enzo can push further forward as the central attacking midfielder with Cole Palmer used there or out wide. Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, and Estevao compete for the wing spots.
Liam Delap and Marc Guiu have started as the strikers with Joao Pedro also offering an option up front.
Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics
The setup hasn’t changed dramatically in a post Enzo Maresca world, they use a 4-2-3-1 that shifts when in possession to a 3-2-5 of sorts. The shift made by the new coach was a return to the box as opposed to the diamond midfield and a much firmer double pivot with the two deeper midfielders staying closer together to offer passing options. This allowed Hato to invert like Cucurella and offer central options. The aim is still to recycle possession but against Charlton, there were more one-touch passing sequences that unlocked the defence and some faster ball movement in general.
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The win in the FA Cup was a nice way to start the new manager’s reign but it doesn’t change the fact that the Blues are one of the worst teams in the Premier League’s form book. They’ve managed just three wins in all competitions since the start of December and only one was in the league. They remain unable to keep a clean sheet as their defensive resilience comes and goes for months at a time, thankfully, their attack has bailed them out more often than not.
Chelsea Team News
PremierInjuries lists a number of absentees for this one, but the information isn’t as up to date as usual. Dario Essugo is named as an injury absence but he made the substitutes bench against Charlton, a quiet return to action for him. The trio of James, Gusto, and Palmer are all going to be late decisions as the manager is giving them as much time as possible to get fit. Mykhailo Mudryk, Romeo Lavia, and Levi Colwill remain on the sidelines long term.
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Caicedo is notably suspended for this competition and will miss this first leg. With him suspended, there may be some big decisions made with Rosenior potentially light on midfield options if James is not fit to play.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
GK – Rob Sanchez
LB – Marc Cucurella
CB – Wes Fofana
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
RB – Malo Gusto
DM – Reece James
DM – Andrey Santos
AM – Enzo Fernandez
W – Pedro Neto
W – Alejandro Garnacho
ST – Liam Delap
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Pro Sports Images