The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea predicted XI vs Sheffield United: Return to 4-2-3-1?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Ngolo Kante of Chelsea and Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Chelsea FC and Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on March 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Ngolo Kante of Chelsea and Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Chelsea FC and Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on March 17, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Chelsea’s Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour (R) vies with Barnsley’s English midfielder Herbie Kane (L) during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Barnsley and Chelsea at the Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley, northern England on February 11, 2021. (Photo by Dave Thompson / 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 DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour (R) vies with Barnsley’s English midfielder Herbie Kane (L) during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Barnsley and Chelsea at the Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley, northern England on February 11, 2021. (Photo by Dave Thompson / 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 DAVE THOMPSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Billy Gilmour (No. 23) Central midfielder, Scotland

Gilmour’s only other match for Tuchel was another FA Cup match against Barnsley. Chelsea came up against a high press and many of the Chelsea players could not handle it. Gilmour was one of those players. He gave the ball away way too much and was almost made a non-factor by Barnsley in midfield. Chelsea’s midfield got dominated that day that most of the game was played in Chelsea’s own defensive third which was quite shameful. Gilmour is presented a chance to put up a much better showing than that of Barnsley, this kind of opportunity will not present itself often.

Mateo Kovacic (No. 17) Central midfielder, Croatia

Kovacic has been superb since the new manager arrived. He has been plunged into a system that was almost tailor made to maximize his talents. He was superb against Atletico Madrid and he helped Chelsea to control the midfield and the game as a whole. He’d be essential if Chelsea is to control this midfield too. Sheffield United prefer to play with a lot of bodies in midfield in an attempt to get an advantage in the middle third, making it easier for them to transition to the attack if they play their cards right.

Kai Havertz (No. 29) Attacking midfielder, Germany

Havertz waited patiently for his chance and he has taken it with both hands. Though he has been deployed mainly as a center forward under Tuchel, his general transitional play, link up, distribution and movement has been very good. He is still yet to score under Tuchel and the new manager will want to give him this game as an opportunity to get into some kind of goal-scoring form. A team as vulnerable as Sheffield United may not present itself again. He’d help in retaining the ball in the final third, which Chelsea has missed since Willian and Eden Hazard left.

Home/FA Cup