Chelsea predicted XI vs Luton: 4-2-3-1 as key players rested

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Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard (R) fist bumps Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on September 14, 2020. (Photo by Richard Heathcote / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea takes a break from league football thankfully, and welcome Championship side Luton Town to Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup tie that the Blues, unusually, absolutely need to win. Yes, it’s Chelsea’s league form that is appalling, but it would be worse for the Blues, and if they lose to a lower league side in the cup. A competition in which they were finalists last year. Frank Lampard has changed his main team selection and without knowing all of the details behind that, this is who we can expect to start in the FA Cup tie against Luton Town:

Kepa Arrizabalaga, No. 1, Goalkeeper, Spain

Arrizabalaga played well against Morecambe and kept a clean sheet, granted, it was a League Two side and he was expected to anyway. Kepa hasn’t started many games for Chelsea since Edouard Mendy came into the side and therefore it’s a good thing that the Spaniard performs as well as he can regardless of who he plays against. Keeping a clean sheet was important for Arrizabalaga’s confidence as well and while he’s not likely to start in the league anytime soon, he should look to make the most of cup appearances.

Cesar Azpilicueta, No. 28, Right back, Spain

The club captain has started in Chelsea’s last three victories in all competitions. He played superbly in all those victories too, and it is not a coincidence that at a time when the Blues are in horrible form, the victories have come with the captain on the pitch. It’s easy to take a dig at Chelsea’s leadership crisis and dismiss Azpilicueta’s influence, but there’s no bigger impact than wins, and Lampard’s men have gotten more victories with Azpilicueta on the pitch lately.

Kurt Zouma, No. 15, Centerback, France

It’s been fairly easy to defend Lampard’s team selections for a while, but this one is a real head scratcher. Zouma didn’t do much in his last appearance against Morecambe, though that is tricky because it’s difficult to perform many defensive actions when you have 84-percent of the ball. He has been so good for Chelsea this season, in fact he has been Chelsea’s best centerback this season, but he seems to have been relegated to cup matches so this is where we are now.

Andreas Christensen, No. 4, Centerback, Denmark

Christensen’s last appearance for the Blues was the Aston Villa game, where he was blamed heavily for the Aston Villa goal. Of course it was a lot more heat than was warranted, but that’s how the Chelsea fanbase is, you’re either the devil or the messiah. Christensen is Chelsea’s fourth choice centerback now and there won’t be many opportunities for the Dane to get playing time this season. He wants to make the most of this, granted, it’s Luton, and his performance probably wouldn’t determine a start in the league, but you never know, it seemed to determine Kurt Zouma’s.

Emerson, No. 33, Left back, Italy

Emerson has generally played well in the games he’s been selected. Chelsea needs to rest Ben Chilwell because Chilwell has played a lot of matches this season. Lampard would not get many more chances to rest Chilwell in the next 5-10 league games. Emerson should be able to handle Luton Town.

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