Our Chelsea writers pick the line-up they would pick if they were in Liam Rosenior’s shoes for their FA Cup quarter-final tie against League One side Port Vale.
There has been a lot of talk around Chelsea in the last two weeks, with comments from Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez causing a stir. For Liam Rosenior, however, his focus will be on the Blues’ FA Cup quarter-final tie with Port Vale on Saturday evening.
The FA Cup is Chelsea’s only hope of silverware this season and the trip to Wembley is only 90 minutes away. Not only is it a play-off, but it’s also a great chance for the Blues to end a four-game losing streak against the bottom side of League One.
It will be interesting to see how Rosenior approaches the quarter-final tie in terms of his team selection, especially in the first game after the international break. By saying, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes let them know what they would do:
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Bobby Vincent
There may be a temptation to drop Teddy Sharman-Lowe due to Filip Jorgensen’s injury, but I think this could be the right time for Robert Sanchez to regain his confidence in goal. I would go to defend Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato.
Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo have both spent the last few weeks working at Cobham, so they should start in the middle, allowing Moises Caicedo and Fernandez to rest. Alejandro Garnacho, due to Chelsea’s lack of options in attack, should start on the right. Hear me…
That would allow Estevao Willian to be used in the No.10 spot, and Cole Palmer would be rested. Jesse Derry could make his full start at left-back, and Pedro Neto would be rested. Liam Delap as No.9, with Joao Pedro even in the squad – he shouldn’t be anywhere near this cup tie, in my opinion.
Bobby’s XI: Sánchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Badiashile, Hato; Lavia, Essugo; Garnacho, Estevao, Derry; Delap
Jake Stokes
Although Chelsea must return to winning ways this weekend, Rosenior must not be caught off guard by his team’s selection. With all due respect to Port Vale, the Blues have no reason not to secure a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, regardless of the names, due to the fact, on the team sheet.Sanchez should play between the sticks, with Acheampong, Mamadou Sarr, Fofana and Hato appearing at the back. He is the only latter to have recorded international duty, and he did not play more than a quarter of an hour on home soil, so he and the others should be refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go.In the middle of the park, Essugo and Lavia should start with a pivot. They have had enough time to build their match fitness, and, finally, Chelsea need to keep Caicedo, Fernandez, and Andrey Santos young for next week’s clash against Manchester City.The Blues could end up fronting Estevao, Palmer and Garnacho, unless Jamie Gittens is suddenly fit to play. Starting Derry or Ryan Kavuma-McQueen might be a step too far for Chelsea’s need to win, but it would be good to see at least one of them come off the bench for half an hour.Up high, Delap. The Blues midfielder has struggled to impress this season, but could still play a key role in the final stretch of the season. All he needs is a goal and the floodgates can open. You will also be well aware that Danny Welbeck is the only other English No.9, bar Harry Kane, which means a place for Thomas Tuchel.My team is holding…
Jake’s XI: Sánchez; Acheampong, Sarr, Badiashile, Hato; Essugo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho; Delap
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