Chelsea’s unusually crucial fixture against 20th place West Bromwich Albion will see several unexpected moves in the lineup. Olivier Giroud will start, while Marcos Alonso is not even on the bench.
Antonio Conte opted to use his new striker as his starting striking in the absence of Alvaro Morata. Olivier Giroud will be the reference point of Chelsea’s attack, as the Blues set up in the 3-4-3 with Eden Hazard and Pedro on either side of the bearded Frenchman.
Alvaro Morata is a surprise addition to the squad. All signs pointed to him being unavailable due to his persistent back injury. Morata will be on the bench, and will hopefully be able to stay there for the full 90 while he continues to recuperate. Willian is the other offensive option Antonio Conte can turn to if necessary (please let it not be necessary) or to give Eden Hazard his own down-time in the second-half.
Perhaps most surprising is Marcos Alonso’s absence from the match-day squad. Davide Zappacosta will start his second straight game at left wing-back. Antonio Conte said he rested Alonso against Watford as a precaution, but he never specified what he wanted a precaution against. Conte did not mention any specific injury or serious risk to Alonso at Friday’s press conference.
Zappacosta was serviceable against Watford, and certainly much improved over his earlier venture on his weaker side. However, given the stakes riding on this game, Alonso’s absence is quite notable. Alonso is far and away Chelsea’s best wing-back, and any starting XI without him is not the best XI.
Team to face WBA: Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Zappacosta; Pedro, Giroud, Hazard.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 12, 2018
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Ampadu, Emerson, Drinkwater, Willian, Morata. #CHEWBA pic.twitter.com/LCu4nxduoI
The Blues play Hull City later in the week and Barcelona next week. After the amount of duty Alonso has pulled this season, he certainly needs and deserves a rest before the Champions League tie. But Unless Conte is prioritizing the FA Cup match against the Championship Tigers over a Premier League match, something is amiss with Alonso’s absence against West Bromwich Albion.
Andreas Christensen returns to the centre of the defence, sending Gary Cahill to the bench and David Luiz out of the squad. West Bromwich Albion will not threaten Chelsea with much speed along the outside. Cahill’s absence is likely performance-based as much as tactics and rotation.
Next: Predictions for Antonio Conte's must-win game against West Brom
More so than this match or the tie against Hull, next week’s Champions League XI will let everyone know where they stand in Antonio Conte’s estimation.