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Chelsea predicted XI for FA Cup semifinals: With what works

By Vansh Ambashta

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Christian Pulisic after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with team mate Christian Pulisic after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea on the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on January 10, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England 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 Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea on the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on January 10, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England 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 Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Chelsea comes off their advancement in the Champions League to head into a clash of titans. Manchester City is in pursuit of a quadruple and, for now at least, Chelsea is the best set team to end that dream. Who will the Blues rely on to close the gap to City for 90 (and maybe plus some) minutes?

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No.1) Goalkeeper, Spain

Chelsea has one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in the form of Edouard Mendy. His performances have been exceptional to the extent that he has an outside chance of becoming our Player of the Year. Despite Mendy’s solid presence, Arrizabalaga has quietly improved throughout the season. He has made some key saves in the FA Cup that have turned out to be crucial as the Blues grinded out a number of games against a variety of oppositions. While the semi-final is against the mighty Manchester City, Arrizabalaga should start this game and deservedly so.

Cesar Azpilicueta (No.27) Centerback, Spain

Azpilicueta started the season off in a rather subdued role where he was leading and mentoring the young players and wasn’t a regular in the team. However, with Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, Azpilicueta has become one of the first names on the team sheet. While other centerbacks have been rotated in and out of the lineup, Azpilicueta has been a constant in the side with his “overlapping centerback” role. His presence brings valuable experience and composure into the young Chelsea lineup. Against Manchester City, Azpilicueta will be against forwards like Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling who are known for their pace and dribbling. However, Chelsea’s iron man should be able to deal with them as he has done in recent times.

Thiago Silva (No.6) Centerback, Brazil

Thiago Silva has had a strange spell after returning from injury. He got sent off in that horrific defeat against West Brom and didn’t feature in the first leg against Porto either. However, he returned for the second leg and was part of the brilliant defensive performance from Chelsea as they kept Porto at bay for almost the whole game. Considering the magnitude of this semi-final, the Blues will have to be defensively solid as they have been in recent times. Silva will be a key part of this effort as he can use his experience to organize the defense against Pep Guardiola’s well drilled attack.

Antonio Rudiger (No.2) Centerback, Germany

Rudiger has been one of the most regular names on the team sheet under Tuchel. He has put in consistent performances as well with some brilliant last ditch challenges and clearances. Rudiger’s presence also brings a bit of character into the side as he knows how to deal with certain individuals like Luis Suarez (as seen in the games against Atletico Madrid). His performance will be key for the Blues as defensive solidity is a must against a team like Manchester City. Expect Rudiger to start the game, put in another convincing performance, and deal with the shenanigans of certain individuals, if needed.

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