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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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FC Porto’s Portuguese midfielder Sergio Oliveira (L) challenges Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg football match between Chelsea and Porto at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on April 13, 2021. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)
FC Porto’s Portuguese midfielder Sergio Oliveira (L) challenges Chelsea’s Italian midfielder Jorginho during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg football match between Chelsea and Porto at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on April 13, 2021. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Callum Hudson-Odoi (No.20) Right Wingback, England

Hudson-Odoi and Reece James have been involved in a healthy competition for the right wingback spot. Fortunately, Chelsea has a number of games, and three competitions to play in, and Tuchel hasn’t hesitated from rotating the two. Both have put in some great performances down the right wing, with Hudson-Odoi causing some real trouble for the opposition’s left backs. Reece James started the second leg against Porto and put in a decent performance. Hence, it seems likely that Hudson-Odoi will start the game against Manchester City. Expect a strong performance from the young Englishman.

N’Golo Kante (No.7) Central Midfielder, France

Tuchel mentioned that Kante is completely fit and ready for the game against Manchester City. With a number of doubts surrounding Kovacic’s injury and Billy Gilmour becoming a spectator, it is likely that Tuchel will continue with the pair of Kante and Jorginho. While I have no doubts about Kante and Jorginho, there are certain factors that need to be discussed. Billy Gilmour started the game against Sheffield United and looked decent. However, he has rarely featured for Chelsea under Tuchel and wasn’t even on the plane to Seville. Hence, his involvement looks unlikely in a game of this magnitude. Even if Gilmour doesn’t start, it would be better for Jorginho and Kante if he could be brought at the hour mark to give one of them some rest.

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Jorginho (No.5) Central Midfielder, Italy

Jorginho has been a regular in Tuchel’s Chelsea. He has put in some marvelous performances as well in recent times (barring THAT West Brom game). His partnership with Kovacic has been smooth as the duo has pulled the strings in midfield effectively. Kante is coming off an injury, and Jorginho has practically played every game. It is very risky to start both again considering the fact that we don’t even know a timeline on Kovacic’s injury. However, considering Tuchel’s approach towards Gilmour and Abraham, it is likely that Kante and Jorginho will start the game against Manchester City.

Marcos Alonso (No.3) Left Wingback, Spain

Alonso’s Chelsea career got revived with Tuchel’s appointment and the shift to the current system. His skills suit the left wingback position and he played some brilliant games where he was influential in a number of attacks. However, Ben Chilwell has been on a bit of a roll in the past few games. He has started three games in a row including both legs of the quarterfinals against Porto. While Chilwell started off slowly in the wingback position, he has grown into the role and has edged past Alonso. As he has started three games in a row, it is likely that he is rested with Alonso being a great replacement.

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