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Chelsea predicted XI for the FA Cup: Getting weird but navigating cup ties

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea (L) looks on from the bench with his coaching staff during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Frank Lampard, Manager of Chelsea (L) looks on from the bench with his coaching staff during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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chelsea, ross barkley
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 08: Ross Barkley of Chelsea makes a pass as Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on January 8, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Mateo Kovacic, 17, Midfield, Croatia

N’Golo Kante is very much in need of a rest and Kovacic sat out last time, so it makes sense to swap them. Furthermore, Kovacic needs to bounce back from what was a rare disaster of a game for him against Brighton. Chelsea did not drop points because of Kovacic, but he certainly did not improve the team when he came on. That is only a minor concern as he has more or less been Chelsea’s best midfielder this season.

Jorginho, 5, Midfield, Italy

Billy Gilmour is ill so it is unlikely that he will play despite this being the perfect match for him. That means Jorginho will need to start (and captain) the side. Luckily, Chelsea has nearly a week off before playing Burnley in the Premier League so Jorginho will not be as run into the ground as he could have potentially have been. Smaller clubs like to target Jorginho so he will need to be aware and shrug off their challenges.

Ross Barkley, 8, Attacking Midfield, England

Truly, it is a tossup if Barkley plays or not. He is very much on the outside of Lampard’s current trusted first team group and he is too much of a finished product to earn a chance on potential. He has made the bench a few times in recent months but he has been a ghost for club for some time. This could very likely be his last chance to find minutes under Lampard. Otherwise, it may be time for Chelsea and Barkley to go their separate ways.

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