Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: Three things to look for in FA Cup semifinals

3. Priorities

The Blues’ jam-packed fixture list has taken its toll on everyone involved with the team this season. While it is nice to win everything possible, eventually winning comes with a price. Chelsea has played three games per week almost every season, seeing as it was involved with six different “competitions” (five if you don’t count the UEFA Super League) this season. Tuchel and his staff have gotten pretty good at prioritizing games. The Blues have won two trophies, made another final in the Carabao Cup and gone deep in every other competition they’ve played in. For the most part, they’ve made the right decisions when it comes to prioritizing one game over another.

However, even though the season is starting to wind down and different competitions are concluding, this is as difficult a time as ever for the managerial staff. The effort put into Tuesday’s clash with Real Madrid clearly showed that all of Chelsea’s marbles were in the Champions League. Now that the Blues have been bounced though, their attention turns to the two remaining contests that they’re involved with still. A difficult decision must be made by Tuchel ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semifinal against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea is surely still going to be somewhat fatigued—be it mentally or physically—following the game on Tuesday. Therefore, it is unreasonable to ask the strongest starting XI to play three massive matches in the span of eight days. Immediately following the FA Cup semifinal, the Blues will return home to Stamford Bridge and host London rival, Arsenal, in what could prove to be a defining moment in the Premier League’s top four race. The Gunners’ defeat at Southampton and Tottenham’s loss to Brighton earlier in the weekend mean the stakes won’t be as high.

Regardless, three points could go a long way to cement Chelsea’s place in third. The fact that the Blues won’t be caught up in a stressful top four chase on matchday 38 is a huge improvement in and of itself. The results elsewhere in the Premier League this weekend mean Chelsea’s decisions become a bit easier regarding which game to prioritize. Tuchel has a chance to redeem his loss in last year’s FA Cup final and the Blues have an opportunity to make their fifth final in six seasons. The priority should be Crystal Palace on Sunday, plain and simple.

What are three things you’ll be looking for in the match? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!