Chelsea players can only blame themselves for the outcome of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, as they got five big chances and failed to score even one They were not a threat from set-pieces, unsurprisingly, and were equally bad at defending them. It's befitting that the game would be decided by a set-piece goal. Pochettino has to pick his lineups carefully from here, as he has to consider how to distribute playing time since there aren't any other competitions left available to him this season. Here are who we think get the nod tomorrow:
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez, Spain
Sanchez has been out of action since December 2023, and since then Djordje Petrovic has come in and been a revelation. Petrovic should be the first-choice goalkeeper now, which means that Sanchez has become the No. 2. Sanchez and Petrovic have averaged similar save rates this season, but Petrovic has faced more shots per game.
Right back: Malo Gusto, France
Gusto will continue to start, though Reece James has started his recovery. The France fullback has shown his talent and is adapting smoothly to the Premier League and England as a whole. He may not get a winners' medal in his first season, but if he adapts to the Premier League it would be a successful season for him.
Centerback: Trevoh Chalobah, England
Chalobah needs to get some minutes under his belt, and Axel Disasi has been playing too many games since the season started. Disasi has been the Blues' best defender, but if he doesn't get a rest soon, it will begin to affect his performance.
Centerback: Levi Colwill, England
Colwill's aerial prowess and strong duel ability will be valuable to Chelsea against Leeds. He would have loved to get his hands on the Carabao Cup trophy as an Academy graduate, but it was not to be.
Left back: Ben Chilwell, England
Chilwell will have to start this game again, even if he doesn't play the whole game. Cucurella is still injured, and Ian Maatsen is now at Borussia Dortmund.
Central midfielder: Enzo Fernandez, Argentina
It's not ideal but the Argentine will have to start again tomorrow. He was good in the Liverpool game, but it was not Chelsea's day.
Central midfielder: Moises Caicedo, Ecuador
Caicedo was the better of the two midfielders, having won most of his duels, completed all his tackles, and distributed the ball very well. This game should not be as difficult as the Liverpool game, but he still has to give his best nonetheless.
Right winger: Noni Madueke, England
Madueke will play because Cole Palmer also needs a rest. The former PSV Eindhoven winger has to take this opportunity if it is presented to him tomorrow. He has to be a lot more effective than he has been even if he doesn't score.
Central attacking midfielder: Carney Chukwuemeka, England
Chukwuemeka may get a rare start against Leeds United in the FA Cup. He has also been sidelined through injury and only just returned some weeks ago. It would be an opportunity for him to get his match fitness up.
Left winger: Mykhailo Mudryk, Ukraine
He just might get a start against Leeds, even though he didn't impress in the Cup final and only made negative contributions. His speed could be valuable against Leeds if they decide to play a high line, but his decision-making still needs a lot of work.
Center forward: Nicolas Jackson, Senegal
Jackson was effective against Liverpool on Sunday, and because Chelsea currently has no backup striker he has to play again. Jackson has stalled in the league, as he is still on seven goals, and Rasmus Hojlund - who was on zero goals when Jackson scored his 7th - now has as many goals as the Senegal striker. That is damning.