Chelsea edged past Wrexham on Saturday night, but Liam Rosenior needed a bit of luck and extra time, as well as in-form winger Alejandro Garnacho, to get over the line ahead of PSG next week.
Garnacho officially scored once on the night, but he will want to claim Chelsea’s first goal too. He got Chelsea back into the game after Sam Smith had opened the scoring, his strike officially an own goal.
Ahead of the trip to Aston Villa, Rosenior had to defend Garnacho. He then started the Argentine ace with Pedro Neto suspended, and the former Man United star sparkled, getting an assist for Joao Pedro.
Chelsea player ratings vs Wrexham 1️⃣-🔟
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Chelsea player ratings vs Wrexham with Joao Pedro clapping the fans
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Then, on Saturday night, a seventh goal of the season in Chelsea colours – 11 goals and assists this term. Quietly, Garnacho is becoming one of Chelsea’s most in-form players, but does he start on Wednesday?
Liam Rosenior decision hints at Garnacho axe against PSG
Neto’s form is questionable, and his red card has earned him criticism, while Estevao and Jamie Gittens have been injured. With Enzo Fernandez pushed forward, Cole Palmer has been used as a right winger.
Wrexham v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
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With Palmer one of the first names on the team sheet, Garnacho might have hoped to start on the left at PSG on Wednesday night. But Rosenior’s decision to allow Garnacho to play 120 minutes hints he won’t.
Indeed, Rosenior had the chance to bring Garnacho off either in normal time or even in extra time, to rest the winger’s legs, especially after 90 minutes at Villa. Yet, he allowed Garnacho to complete 120 minutes.
It suggests that Rosenior is planning to play Neto on the left flank against PSG, with Pedro up top and Palmer, who did not even travel to Wrexham, on the right. Harsh on Garnacho, who has been superb.
Who else starts for Chelsea against Luis Enrique’s PSG?
Rosenior has some big decisions to make when he takes his players to Paris. Rosenior knows how to beat the French champions, having done it while in charge of Strasbourg during his stint in Ligue 1.
Garnacho is on fire right now!
Does he get in your attack to face PSG on Wednesday?
Wrexham v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
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With Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana rested, and Marc Cucurella only a sub at Wrexham, that trio will almost certainly start in defence. As will Moises Caicedo, Palmer, Enzo, and Pedro against Enrique’s side.
But Rosenior does have to make a decision between Garnacho or Neto, though the latter is more likely given his decision to keep Garnacho on against Wrexham. Reece James is likely to partner Caicedo.
That would see Malo Gusto at right-back and then, in goal, who starts? Robert Sanchez looked nervous against Wrexham and Filip Jorgensen did what he needed to at Villa. It could well see the latter start.
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