Chelsea: Morata, Bakayoko return to starting XI as youth make way

Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko return to Chelsea’s starting XI for the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City. Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 shows he taking no chances with his remaining piece of available silverware.

Tiemoue Bakayoko will start for the first time since his disastrous 30-minute appearance against Watford on February 5. He will partner N’Golo Kante in the middle of Chelsea’s restored-to-favour 3-4-3 with an actual striker, as Alvaro Morata begins his road to redemption (and future starting XI’s).

The entire match-day squad reveals the importance Antonio Conte is attaching to this tournament. No youth players are in the squad, whereas in the last round Ethan Ampadu started and Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kyle Scott came on for a solid shift in the second half. Ampadu is injured, and he may have otherwise been in the XI. Hudson-Odoi and Ampadu also featured in the previous round against Premier League side Newcastle. However, Conte only has his top level regulars standing by as substitutes today.

The last round also featured January transfer Emerson starting at left wing-back. Emerson is at least on the bench today, but Marcos Alonso will start – which means he will likely finish the day there.

Two factors likely informed Conte’s decision. The first is obviously the growing importance of the FA Cup to this season. Even though he said the decisions on his future will happen independent of Chelsea’s success in this tournament, the FA Cup is the only thing standing between Chelsea and an empty-handed season. While Champions League qualification is the most important goal, for prestige purposes as well motivation Chelsea do not want to have another season with no additions to the trophy case.

Second, the upcoming international break means Conte does not have to worry about fatigue and recovery before the next game. He can play his best players to secure the win, send a message and perhaps use this as a training session for the run-in without concern about another match in four days (or a week). Many national teams named experimental squads, indicating they will not be playing their friendlies at full tilt. Even for those players who were called up, it may be a more relaxing break than most.

Aside from the decision to remove the youth from his FA Cup squad, the most worrisome decision is Bakayoko’s return. Tiemoue Bakayoko has been a shadow of his former self, and his inclusion in this XI almost cuts against the importance Antonio Conte ascribes to this match. The upside is he will be playing alongside N’Golo Kante in a true 3-4-3, the pairing and formation where he has had the most success this season.

Next: Predictions vs. Leicester: Do they dare, do they care?

What are your thoughts on this lineup? Is Conte showing Leicester too much respect, or is this what is necessary to do the job? Let us know below!