Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is missing nine players through injury ahead of Wednesday night’s FA Cup clash with Leeds United. Despite the lack of options at his disposal, the Argentine may be forced to rotate where he can after 120 taxing minutes in the Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. Here, Express Sport takes you through how the Blues could line up in the fifth round as Robert Sanchez, Alfie Gilchrist and Noni Madueke await their fate…
Goalkeeper: Sanchez
It remains to be seen whether Sanchez will win back his spot between the sticks on a long-term basis. The Spaniard has been out of action since early December, with Djordje Petrovic impressing in his absence.
Even if Petrovic continues to be Pochettino’s first choice in the Premier League, the FA Cup is a perfect opportunity for Sanchez – a more than capable operator in his own right – to be eased back into first-team football.
Defence: Gilchrist, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell
Both of Alfie Gilchrist’s starts this campaign have come in the FA Cup, and the 20-year-old could be set for another against the Whites if Pochettino opts to give fellow youngster Malo Gusto a rest.
There is not much room for manoeuvre elsewhere in the back-line with Thiago Silva, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiashile and Welsey Fofana all ruled out. Trevoh Chalobah has returned to fitness but the promising pairing of Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill is likely to get the nod, with Ben Chilwell poised to captain the side from left-back.
Midfield: Fernandez, Palmer, Caicedo
The FA Cup is Chelsea’s last shot at silverware and European qualification this season, so Pochettino will have to strike a fine balance between taking the match seriously and managing players’ workloads.
The deep-lying midfield partnership of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo has been a steadying presence in recent weeks and should continue against the Whites to maximise Chelsea’s chances of controlling the game.
Cole Palmer is a vital creative spark playing in a more advanced central role, with Conor Gallagher deserving of a rest after an energetic display at Wembley.
Attack: Madueke, Jackson, Sterling
Madueke has started as many matches in cup competitions as he has in the Premier League this season. Pochettino surely has to start the 21-year-old in games like Wednesday’s if he is to avoid the wide man jumping ship this summer.
Mykhaylo Mudryk will also be knocking on the door for minutes on the left flank, but Raheem Sterling has been one of Chelsea’s principal goal threats over the past few weeks.
With Christopher Nkunku suffering yet another injury setback, Nicolas Jackson is in line to spearhead the Blues’ attack.
