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Chelsea at Spurs predicted XI: 4-2-3-1 to step into EFL Cup final

By Olaoluwa Nwobodo

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Timo Werner of Chelsea is challenged by Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Timo Werner of Chelsea is challenged by Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Malang Sarr of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 5, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Malang Sarr of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 5, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Chelsea is at the final stage of the EFL Cup before the final. All the Blues need to do is to avoid defeat and they’ll go through to the final to meet either Arsenal or Liverpool. That is, if Liverpool doesn’t test 14 false positives on the day of the final. Thomas Tuchel will have been pleased in the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinal with his team’s performance, where the Blues created so much but converted so little. It goes without saying he’ll want to see the same in this game, but who does he trust to make that happen?

Kepa Arrizabalaga (No. 1) Goalkeeper, Spain

Kepa Arrizabalaga is now Chelsea’s first choice keeper for the time being. He has already kept two clean sheets against Tottenham this season, why not go three for three?

Related Story. Chelsea makes its first signing of the winter transfer window. light

Cesar Azpilicueta (No. 28) Right back, Spain

Cesar Azpilicueta came off against Spurs in the first leg of this tie, but it probably wasn’t anything serious. Tuchel is now in a situation where he has to take the most precaution to make sure that he doesn’t have any more unnecessary injuries to deal with going forward. The captain has given his all and then some to the club, so it’s no surprise the Chelsea hierarchy is supporting whatever decision he takes regarding his future. The Spaniard’s contract expires this summer and he’s linked with a number of clubs. He has earned a right to go wherever he wants at the end of his deal.

Antonio Rudiger (No. 2) Centerback, Germany

Antonio Rudiger played right centerback in a two-centerback formation for the first leg against Spurs in the first leg of this tie. He wasn’t stellar but he was solid. You can’t ask for much more from a centerback. Tuchel will do well to keep this partnership he has with Malang Sarr whenever he can, preferably in cup games like this. Chelsea seems to be reopening talks with Rudiger concerning his contract and Tuchel wants to keep the former AS Roma defender, it would only be a good thing if the club can come to an agreement with Rudiger.

Malang Sarr (No. 31) Centerback, France

Sarr had a good partnership with Rudiger, for a cup game anyway. Chelsea has better players across the board than Spurs, so this partnership should be able to hold their own against Spurs, while trusting the other players to win the game for them. The Blues got the Frenchman on a free transfer and loaned him out to FC Porto last season. He got some much needed minutes, though by the end of the loan he seemed to be playing for its ‘B’ team, which was weird. Tuchel decided to give Sarr a chance and has helped the former OGC Nice defender by carefully picking the games to play him in. Sarr has played well so far, often winning duels and making crucial interceptions.

Marcos Alonso (No. 3) Left back, Spain

Marcos Alonso remains Chelsea’s only fit out and out wingback. This explains why Tuchel has been managing his minutes whenever possible. Chelsea needs to sign a back-up left wingback this window and as soon as possible. Games are coming thick and fast and Alonso is finding himself having to play a lot of games in a short pace of time once again.

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