Chelsea
New signing starts as Sarri makes 8 changes | Expected Chelsea line-up vs Sheff Wed
Chelsea take on Sheffield Wednesday in the 4th round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Here is the side I think Maurizio Sarri will select
Chelsea will look to avoid an upset when they take on Sheffield Wednesday in the 4th round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Here is the side I think Maurizio Sarri will select for the game:
Goalkeeper: Willy Caballero started in the third round win over Nottingham Forest and I expect him to be given another chance between the sticks on Sunday with Kepa given a rest after his penalty heroics last night.
Defence: We may also see a couple of changes in defence with Andreas Christensen pushing for a recall. The young Dane was axed from the squad against Tottenham but Sarri may bring him back to line-up alongside David Luiz this weekend. Antonio Rudiger would therefore be given a breather.
Davide Zappacosta is expected to be recalled with Cesar Azpilicueta making way at right-back while Emerson Palmeiri may be given another chance to impress at left-back with Marcos Alonso missing out.
Midfield: Chelsea are yet to sign a replacement for Cesc Fabregas following his switch to Monaco but Jorginho could do with a rest so youngster Ethan Ampadu may be deployed in midfield, just as he was against Forest in the last round.
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N’Golo Kante may be retained if Sarri doesn’t want to rotate too much but Mateo Kovacic could come back in to the side after being named on the bench against Spurs. Ross Barkley would be the man to make way. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back in training after recovering from injury but he may not be deemed fit enough to start just yet.
Attack: Gonzalo Higuain is in-line to make his debut after completing his loan move from Juventus this week and the Argentinean hitman will be desperate to make a good first impression on his new team mates.
Olivier Giroud will therefore drop out to the bench after picking up a knock last night and Alvaro Morata is expected to miss out once again as he edges closer to joining Atletico Madrid.
Eden Hazard is expected to be rested so youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi could be given a start as Chelsea continue to try and persuade the talented winger his future is in West London.
Willian was named on the bench against Tottenham last night so the Brazilian international could be recalled against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday with Pedro making way.
Here is how we think Chelsea will line-up:
