Chelsea: Three things to look for in EFL Cup Fourth Round

3. Academy day, part two?

Norwich wasn’t planned as one, but it very quickly turned into an academy day for Chelsea. Ben Chilwell and an own goal (which really could have been a second for Callum Hudson-Odoi), Cobham reigned supreme. With injuries piling on a bit, it wouldn’t be the worst time in the world to save a bench spot or three for some of the academy’s top talent.

Xavier Mbuyamba made the bench last time out, though he didn’t come on. Others that are surely due for at least a bench appearance include Harvey Vale and Bryan Fiabema. Perhaps a bigger leap would be Edwin Andersson and Jude Soonsup-Bell from the u18s. Given Chelsea’s depth at striker is nonexistent currently, it certainly wouldn’t be the worst idea to look for Fiabema or Soonsup-Bell as striker options, even if only from the bench. Vale and Andersson would be more winger like options and that wouldn’t be a bad idea to have on the bench either.

It really comes down to how seriously Tuchel takes this match overall and how he sees it progress. Mbuyamba may have come on against Villa last time but the game didn’t develop in a way that he could find a spot. In this situation, the game would have to be going very well for any of the aforementioned academy guys to get in over some combination of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Ross Barkley, or Callum Hudson-Odoi from either the start or the bench.

Still, if Tuchel is looking to experiment with formations and rest some key figures, the academy is there for a chance. It’s not quite the same situation as it was against Norwich but Cobham is there to be used, not thought about. This match could be a great chance to give someone a debut and see what they can offer.

What are you looking for in this match? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!