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Chelsea at Luton Town: Three things to look for in FA Cup contest

By Gabe Henderson

Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (L) fights for the ball with Lille's Kosovar defender Edon Zhegrova during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Chelsea and Lille (LOSC) at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, on February 22, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / IKIMAGES / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (L) fights for the ball with Lille's Kosovar defender Edon Zhegrova during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Chelsea and Lille (LOSC) at Stamford Bridge stadium, in London, on February 22, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / IKIMAGES / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – FEBRUARY 12: Thomas Tuchel the manager / head coach of Chelsea celebrates with Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea v Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – FEBRUARY 12: Thomas Tuchel the manager / head coach of Chelsea celebrates with Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea v Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

3. The striker situation

This slide sort of piggybacks off the last one in that there is really little question about who starts in this position. Kai Havertz went the distance, playing all 120 minutes on Sunday in various positions, so it’d be very surprising to see him given the start against Luton Town. The German has been in fine form, which is exactly why his compatriot, Tuchel, needs to rest him ahead of the weekend’s trip to Burnley in the Premier League. This means—despite fan disapproval—Romelu Lukaku will lead the line for a third consecutive round in the competition.

Lukaku has been relegated to the bench recently, so it’s safe to say he’s fully fit to play from the opening whistle midweek. Furthermore, his form isn’t as bad as Chelsea fans make it out to seem. Sure, he only had seven touches at Crystal Palace and he looked like an awkward fit in the FIFA Club World Cup. However, not all of that is the Belgian’s fault. He still managed to score twice in Abu Dhabi, and even managed to bag what should have been the winner on Sunday before VAR controversially (and wrongly) ruled the goal out for offside.

The club record signing hasn’t gotten off to the best start to life back in west London. However, he’s scoring goals and that’s all that truly matters, right? Lukaku’s been in wretched form throughout a majority of the year and other times, he’s missed due to injury and/or Coronavirus. Yet, he’s still managed to score 10 goals in 2,000 minutes. It’s not an ideal return from a superstar No. 9, factor in his two assists though and that average drops to a goal contribution every 168 minutes. Not too shabby from someone in horrendous form—it’s only up from here.

The point remains, Lukaku is the Blues’ best chance at getting a goal from nothing. That’ll be an important trait to possess at Luton, who is undoubtedly going to give Chelsea a run for its money, if Tuesday’s FA Cup results are anything to base that claim on. Havertz has been splendid lately, it’s just too risky and unnecessary to start him in this game. It’s time to let Lukaku get his legs underneath him once again so that he can keep on firing down the stretch.

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What are some of the things you’ll be looking for in the FA Cup clash? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!

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