Chelsea suffered a blow in the title race at the weekend following a defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, but they’ll have to focus on the upcoming FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite the slip at the weekend, fans in the Transfer Tavern are confident that Chelsea can overcome their London rivals at Wembley this weekend and push themselves towards a double in Antonio Conte’s first campaign in charge.
That would certainly be an achievement for the Italian boss but our landlord has warned that Conte’s team selection has to be spot-on, ensuring that his side is capable of breaking down Spurs resilient defence- which has been the strongest in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea’s attack has flourished though but they’ll want to see more from their front-line this weekend, having failed to muster a single shot on target against Manchester United on Sunday- the first time in a decade they’ve failed to do so in a Premier League game.
Our landlord believes this Chelsea side is more then capable of marching through to the showcase final in May though, as he’s selected a very strong side….
GK: Asmir Begovic
The Bosnian goalkeeper played between the sticks for the first time since February for Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United and will retain his spot for the cup final at Wembley, as first-choice stopper Thibaut Courtois is set to miss out through injury.
Begovic would have been in the running for a start anyway though as the veteran has featured in the FA Cup games against Peterborough, Brentford and Wolves, although he wasn’t selected for the 1-0 victory over Jose Mourinho’s United in the last round.
CB: David Luiz
Summer signing David Luiz has excelled as part of Chelsea’s back-three this season and needs to continue putting in inspirational performances, as the imminent exit of John Terry this summer could be followed by a departure for Gary Cahill- which would leave Luiz as Chelsea’s senior centre-half.
The Brazilian needs to improve Chelsea’s defensive showing in the FA Cup this weekend, as Chelsea have now gone five games without a clean-sheet in all competitions when the former Paris Saint-Germain defender has featured.
However, a positive sign is that the club’s last clean-sheet came in the FA Cup during the victory over Manchester United in the quarter-finals.
CB: Kurt Zouma
A bit-part player for Chelsea this season, Kurt Zouma started this weekend for the first time since February and can expect to retain his spot for the FA Cup clash with Spurs. However, the pressure is on the Frenchman to perform.
With Terry moving on, Zouma has the chance to push for more regular football but faces a stern test to show Antonio Conte he’s capable of becoming an established member of the first-team; as he has to battle it out with Chelsea’s current first-choice defensive trio, as well as young Nathan Ake.
CB: Gary Cahill
Had Antonio Conte had his way during the summer, Gary Cahill may not have been anywhere near the first-team as a defensive signing could have pushed him out of the side. Instead, the England international has become an established member of the squad.
Question marks remain as to whether Cahill will retain his spot heading into next season, as Chelsea may seek a younger alternative, but the 31-year-old has shown it will not be easy to find a replacement that can excel as he has.
RWB: Victor Moses
Undoubtably the player to benefit most from Antonio Conte’s guidance, Victor Moses has gone from a forgotten figure at Stamford Bridge to one of the most important players in the side- as he’s made the right wing-back spot his own.
Now 26, the Nigerian has a few years of disappointment to make up for and a starring performance in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley would cast another shining light on what has been a fantastic season for the former Wigan Athletic man.
LWB: Cesar Azpilicueta
Starring in a central role throughout the season, Spanish ace Cesar Azpilicueta returned to a wide area for the weekend’s defeat to Manchester United and can expect to occupy the same position for the upcoming clash against Spurs, as Marcos Alonso is a doubt.
Whilst Azpilicueta has excelled centrally, his natural position is out-wide and his future at Stamford Bridge may lie in this area if Antonio Conte lands the defensive recruits he wants this summer. If that doesn’t happen though, having Azpilicueta centrally isn’t a bad thing.
CM: N’Golo Kante
The star signing of the summer transfer window, N’Golo Kante will be part of a ferocious midfield battle at Wembley this weekend as the Blues star faces off against Spurs powerful duo of Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele.
Kante has been the engine for Chelsea’s success this season, proving to be as effective without the ball as he is with it at his feet. He’s been an ever-present figure for Antonio Conte’s side this season and it’s easy to see why.
Having scored the winner in the quarter-final against Manchester United, Kante could end-up being a match winner here.
CM: Cesc Fabregas
A peripheral figure for Chelsea this season, and one who has major question marks hanging over his future, former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas will be prepared to put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword this weekend at Wembley.
Conte may elect to select the World Cup winner ahead of Nemanja Matic, who partnered Kante for the defeat to Manchester United, as Fabregas has saved his best performances this season for the cup competitions.
Two of his six goals this season have come in the League Cup and he will fancy his chances of breaking his FA Cup duck this weekend.
RW: Pedro Rodriguez
Another disappointing player at Chelsea who has thrived since Antonio Conte took charge, Pedro Rodriguez has started to show the performances of the player who become heavily adored at Barcelona- but he faces a battle with Willian for a spot this weekend.
The Spaniard should get the nod though as he boasts a fantastic return of four FA Cup goals in three appearances this season. Having not scored since February, with his last goal coming in the Premier League against Swansea, he’ll be keen to make an impression.
LW: Eden Hazard
Marked out of the clash with Manchester United by Ander Herrera, Eden Hazard was widely criticised in the wake of that defeat for not challenging his marker enough- and Tottenham may look to adopt a similar strategy this weekend.
Hazard will always be a dangerous player though and you can expect a response from the Belgian star at Wembley, where he’ll be looking to net his fifteenth goal of the season.
His performance against Manchester United can certainly be seen as a blip, as he boasted three goals in two games prior to the Blues’ trip to Old Trafford.
ST: Diego Costa
Diego Costa’s decline in front of goal has gone hand-in-hand with Chelsea’s slip-ups in the past few months, as Antonio Conte’s side look far from the dominating force that they were in the first-half of the campaign.
The Spaniard has not scored for Chelsea since a Premier League tie with West Ham in early March and his place in the side could have become under threat if the Blues possessed capable alternatives. Whilst selecting Michy Batshuayi is an option, Costa is expected to retain his spot.
