Chelsea’s starting XI: Antonio Conte pins his hopes on Olivier Giroud

Antonio Conte is playing his most cautious / conservative / trusted lineup for the FA Cup Final. Willy Caballero will watch from the bench, hoping Thibaut Courtois can put icing on all his hard work in the competition.

Chelsea’s final starting XI of the year leaves their club record signing on the bench in favour of a January arrival with a history of FA Cup domination. Antonio Conte also chose to leave his once-most promising young player – Andreas Christensen – out of the squad entirely. Trevoh Chalobah, though, is in squad. He was an unused substitute in the Premier League against Manchester City and in the FA Cup against Hull City.

If Christensen is not out due to a substantive injury – that is, something less vague than “fatigue” – there are any number of questions swirling around the young centre-back. Chelsea’s back-line for this match are the most experienced and trustworthy of the group, particularly in high-pressure situations. After the last few months, Christensen not starting is hardly a surprise.

But to be left out entirely is a different issue. Christensen seems too young, quiet and agreeable to have a row with Antonio Conte. Christenen was not a bit player in Chelsea’s season. He was as much a part of the best XI as any player in today’s starting XI. Perhaps more so, considering how Christensen kept Gary Cahill out of the squad on many occassions. Since his run of errors in February and March, followed by Denmark sending him home early from international duty, he has receded from that early prominence.

Conte did not name any other centre-backs to his bench. If something were to happen to one of the three – injury, sending off, don’t say it couldn’t happen – Conte would have to switch to a four-man defence.

Chelsea’s 3-5-2 with Cesc Fabregas in the middle shows the Blues will take some initiative against Jose Mourinho’s parked bus. Ander Herrera said earlier in the week that his role will be to shut down Eden Hazard. Past experience indicates this means he will spend the day hacking Hazard from the knees down.

Hazard, then, will want to drag Herrera all over the pitch, creating space for Olivier Giroud to receive crosses from the wing-backs and Fabregas. The extra space could also allow Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso to come inside and take shots of their own. This could be the best opportunity to open up shooting lanes from wide angles, as much of United’s defence will focus on Hazard.

As we’re writing this, reports are coming out about Andreas Christensen having a back injury. That resolves and answers just next to nothing.

Next: Chelsea vs. Man U: Predictions for the overlapping finales at Wembley

What are your thoughts on the formation and the starting XI? Satisfied, or were you hoping for a proper 3-5-2 with Giroud and Alvaro Morata? Let us know below!