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Chelsea predicted XI vs. Leicester City: Should Tuchel still use 3-4-2-1?

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Thiago Silva of Chelsea is challenged by Jamie Vardy of Leicester City during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of around 21,000 fans, subject to a negative lateral flow test, will be allowed inside Wembley Stadium to watch this year's FA Cup Final as part of a pilot event to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Thiago Silva of Chelsea is challenged by Jamie Vardy of Leicester City during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of around 21,000 fans, subject to a negative lateral flow test, will be allowed inside Wembley Stadium to watch this year's FA Cup Final as part of a pilot event to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: N’Golo Kante of Chelsea is challenged by Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of around 21,000 fans, subject to a negative lateral flow test, will be allowed inside Wembley Stadium to watch this year’s FA Cup Final as part of a pilot event to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues. (Photo by Matt Childs – Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: N’Golo Kante of Chelsea is challenged by Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City during The Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 15, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of around 21,000 fans, subject to a negative lateral flow test, will be allowed inside Wembley Stadium to watch this year’s FA Cup Final as part of a pilot event to trial the return of large crowds to UK venues. (Photo by Matt Childs – Pool/Getty Images) /

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right wingback, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta wasn’t great on Saturday, then again, who was? Azpilicueta is the captain though, so he’s understandably judged more harshly. He played at right wingback against Leicester and that came with its own issues. He’s not fast and speed is important for that role. He has to find a way to get through to his teammates though. They cannot afford to lose to Leicester a third time this season. Each time they’ve played the Foxes, the stakes have been considerably higher. The skipper’s leadership is needed now more than ever.

Jorginho (No. 5) Central midfielder, Italy

Jorginho and N’Golo Kante contested the same number of duels and won the same number; they also misplaced the same number of passes. Kante registered three key passes though, compared to Jorginho’s zero. Many blamed Jorginho for the magnificent goal Tielemans scored against the Blues, but it’s nonsense really. Jorginho is being scapegoated again. Admittedly, if he had run toward the shooter rather than not, he would have had a better chance of stopping the shot, maybe five percent better. It’s still nonsense though because the primary fault was from the player who made a pass to one of the few areas of the pitch the pass had a good chance of being cut out. Watching the play in real time and on replay, it’s obvious that James had to have seen the Leicester man in front of him. No, it wasn’t a handball.

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

Kante was one of the few players that delivered the bare minimum that is expected in a cup final, though Jorginho did not have a bad game. Kante made just three defensive actions though. He was arguably Chelsea’s best player on the day, but he underperformed in a midfield that was second best by a mile. That was worrying, but not too worrying. He’s still a world class player. He’s still Chelsea’s most competent defensive midfielder and in a game like this, Kante is crucial.

Ben Chilwell (No. 21) Left wingback, England

Trivia: Chelsea has not won against the Foxes since Chilwell moved to Stamford Bridge. He has played in two games against them. Chilwell’s alertness and ability to get back in time to defend would be invaluable in this fixture. There’s speculation as to whether Chilwell’s exclusion from the last starting line-up was just for the sole purpose of resting him for this game. Some fans are convinced that the disallowed goal should’ve stood. VAR has been consistent in measuring offsides, so it’s difficult to be angry about that call, plus blaming VAR for losing is just a deliberate attempt to avoid addressing the issues that were glaring in that match. Marcos Alonso was good by the way, making more tackles (four) than any other Chelsea player, and making more defensive actions (seven) than any other Chelsea player.

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