This is a Chelsea predicted lineup for their FA Cup replay with Aston Villa. The Blues are coming into this one off the back off two consecutive defeats where they shipped four goals with the team currently without a win in their past three outings.
Matchday in the #EmiratesFACup! #CFC pic.twitter.com/UCnzg2Q9Fz
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 7, 2024
Djorjde Petrović remains unchallenged in goals, starting every game since Robert Sanchez went down with an injury. In the back line we have seen Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, and Malo Gusto feature as starters.
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been the pairing of choice in the defensive midfield spots with Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer, and Noni Madueke have occupied attacking midfield spots.
The striker role has been shared between Christopher Nkunku, Palmer, and the now out on loan Armando Broja.
Mauricio Pochettino has remained loyal to his fluid 4-2-3-1 formation which, at times, resembles more of a 4-3-3 with results not going his way lately. Heavy defeats to Liverpool and Wolves leave him without a win in his last three attempts.
While scoring goals is not as much of a problem as they used to be, we’re not far removed from the Blues putting 6 past Middlesbrough after all, the defence has become weak in recent times. They have picked the ball out of their own net four times in each of their last two matches.
The latest update provided by the club features eight players who are sidelined for this contest. Trevoh Chalobah, Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, and Lesley Ugochukwu remain out of action.
After a run of poor performances, a change is needed from Pochettino who saw Silva get exposed multiple times over the past week or two by Chilwell’s attacking intent. A change to a back three could protect the 39-year-old and hopefully unleash the true abilities of the two full-backs.
GK – Djordje Petrović
CB – Benoit Badiashile
CB – Thiago Silva
CB – Axel Disasi
LWB – Ben Chilwell
RWB – Malo Gusto
CM – Moises Caicedo
CM – Enzo Fernandez
RW – Cole Palmer
LW – Christopher Nkunku
ST – Nicolas Jackson
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