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Chelsea’s injuries create openings for Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake at Wolves

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Nathan Ake of Chelsea in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge on January 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Nathan Ake of Chelsea in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge on January 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /
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David Luiz and John Terry will likely not be in Chelsea’s squad against Wolves in the FA Cup this weekend. This gives Antonio Conte many decisions for using Nathan Ake and Kurt Zouma in his back-line.

David Luiz and John Terry gave their social media followers advance warning that they would likely not appear in Chelsea’s line-up for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Wolves. Luiz is still paying the price for Sergio Aguero’s physics test against Luiz’s right knee in December. Terry is a recent victim of friendly-fire. He suffered a training ground injury supposedly at the hands (foot?) of Marcos Alonso.

Antonio Conte was likely going to start Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake against Wolves, as he did against Brentford. Terry’s and Luiz’s absence, though, introduces new questions over where these young returnees will take their place.

Kurt Zouma took the right side of the defence in Chelsea’s first FA Cup match against Peterborough. Terry and Gary Cahill completed the back-line, with Ake not in the squad. Against Brentford, Cesar Azpilicueta came in for Cahill and Ake made his return debut in place of Marcos Alonso at left wing-back.

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Antonio Conte insisted that Ake’s future is at centre-back, despite his versatility. With Terry and Luiz unavailable, Conte may give Ake his first start on Chelsea’s defence. Zouma is all but assured a start, leaving open the question of which experienced player will anchor the back-line.

Cesar Azpilicueta deserves – even if he never seems to need – a rest. Gary Cahill could use a mental and physical break after his performance against Burnley. He would benefit from staying in a training mindset through next weekend, returning in the Premier League against Swansea.

However, Conte will likely not bench his match-day captain if the club captain is also unavailable. Branislav Ivanovic would have been the other possibility to wear the armband in an FA Cup match, but he is now with Zenit.

Chelsea will most likely roll out Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill and Nathan Ake as the back-line against Wolves. Cahill will be well aware that he will not only be leading the team and steadying the back-line, but auditioning for his place next year alongside two of his top competitors.

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If Conte determines that Marcos Alonso deserves a rest, he now has Kenedy at the ready to slot in at left wing-back. Conte may also deploy the indefatigable Azpilicueta as right wing-back, in another glimpse into a potential future.

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