The good news after falling in an embarrassing fashion at home this past weekend is the ability to bounce back just a few days later in the mid-week. For the first time since May 2012 in the Premier League, Chelsea Football Club will encounter Blackburn Rovers. This time, it is a chance to book a place in the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup.
While the third round draw was not too kind, gifting the west Londoners a Premier League side, the football gods made up for it. Mauricio Pochettino’s crew are one of three top-flight sides with a Championship opposition in their way. After getting bounced by Manchester City in the third round of last season’s competition, the Blues have their eyes set on punching a ticket into the quarterfinal round for the fourth time in the last seven campaigns.
From the eyes of the outsider, it may seem like a straightforward contest in favor of Poch’s men. Think again. In each round leading up to this point, Blackburn has scored four or more goals including a 5-2 drubbing of fellow Championship side Cardiff City. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team is coming off the back of a 1-0 heartbreaker to Swansea City at home where the Riversiders created more chances.
This is a match, and a competition that the west London outfit has the ability to generate momentum from. With more injury concerns piling up over the weekend, here are three players Chelsea must slot into its starting XI in a win or go home scenario.
3 Blues who must start in EFL Cup Round of 16 at Stamford Bridge
3. Benoit Badiashile
After an injury setback following a hamstring issue, French central defender Benoit Badiashile has made it into the team for the last two Premier League fixtures. Even with fans hoping his first chance of the campaign came against Brentford, the Blues’ No. 4 has yet to make an appearance since the new Argentine manager was appointed. In a contest against a lower-tier opponent, that should change.
Out of all the January signings, it has to be said that Badiashile was the biggest bargain of them all. Give Thiago Silva some rest, and slot the Frenchmen alongside Levi Colwill in the middle of a back-four. That calming presence as a right-sided center back will be a welcoming sight. He is rock solid on set-pieces, an area in which Blackburn will attempt to exploit the west London side with possession for the away team most likely being at a premium.