Chelsea: Three things to look for in Leicester City round one

Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (L) vies with Manchester City's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. - - 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 Adam Davy / 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. / 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 ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Southampton’s Malian midfielder Moussa Djenepo (L) vies with Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on February 20, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / 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 NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea has what is basically four cup finals to end the season. The first two are two parts of a double header that could potentially make the third less of a cup final. Leicester back to back isn’t very much fun for those that like variety but it makes Chelsea’s task relatively simple. Up first is the FA Cup with silverware on the line. What should fans look for in the match?

1. N’Golo Kante plus…?

Thomas Tuchel already let the cat out of the bag on Kante starting. His absence against Arsenal has been described as pain management but Tuchel declared him fit and even went as far as to say he would probably go the 90.

Tuchel also declared everyone else fit for Leicester which means Mateo Kovacic is finally back. That leaves Tuchel with a decision to make.

If Kovacic is ready to go, it’s hard to keep him on the bench. He’s been a driving force in Chelsea’s midfield all season (and last) and his directness has been missed. At the same time, the Blues need to be playing the long game right now. If there is even a chance he can get reinjured, it may be smarter to save him for a substitute appearance and later matches.

Jorginho is probably the most likely if Kovacic is unable to play but he was absolutely dreadful with or without that mistake against Arsenal. It was his first bad game in some time though, and his experience could be invaluable for the final.

The last option would be Billy Gilmour, who would admittedly be a dark horse candidate. He was great against Arsenal before (shockingly) being subbed off at the half for what can best be described as “reasons”. Some have suggested that he might have been taken off to save him for the weekend. That’s probably wishful thinking, but Tuchel has shown he can get real galaxy brain with some lineup decisions.

There is also the off chance Mason Mount lines up next to N’Golo Kante, but that should be unlikely. Tuchel said he wanted Mount’s “long shots” from midfield against Arsenal which he A: made none and B: hasn’t really shown himself to be a scorer from any distance. Mount would be the fittest option that perhaps fits the least.

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