ARTICLES

Giroud to replace Hazard in attack? – Predicted Chelsea line-up for Carabao Cup semi-final second leg

Olivier Giroud

Chelsea have it all to do against Tottenham in the second leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final. The Blues trail by a single goal from the first leg, but we have struggled to score in recent games.

Maurizio Sarri ripped into the team and attacked their lack fo motivation after the loss to Arsenal. The Blues were poor at the Emirates, and unless we buck up, we would be out of this competition too.

Tottenham have several injury problems with Harry Kane and Dele Alli guaranteed to miss the tie. Chelsea, however, could field their strongest line and the big decision for Sarri is to decide on Eden Hazard’s position.

The Belgian has been played as a false 9 in recent weeks, but that has seen his influence reduced in games.

A trip to the final could be the confidence boost the team needs this season, and here is the predicted line-up for Chelsea.

Predicted Chelsea XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Manager: Maurizio Sarri

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK)

The Spaniard should start at the Bridge and needs to do better than against Arsenal at the weekend.

Cesar Azpilicueta (RB)

Azpilicueta is another player that needs to have a great game and possibly keep the likes of Christian Eriksen quiet.

David Luiz (CB)

Luiz didn’t have a game to remember against Arsenal, and we should see a better performance from our defence against Spurs.

Antonio Rudiger (CB)

The German was another player that just wasn’t up for the Arsenal clash, but Chelsea need him to play at his best on Thursday.

Marcos Alonso (LB)

Alonso has struggled in recent weeks, but the Spaniard should keep his place in the team ahead of Emerson Palmieri.

Mateo Kovacic (CM)

Another player that hasn’t hit the heights from the start of the season. Kovacic could be preferred to Ross Barkley, and the Croatian needs a quality performance against Spurs.

Jorginho (CM)

The Italian has been below average in recent weeks and needs to step it up on Thursday night.

N’Golo Kante (CM)

The one Chelsea player that always gives it his all, Kante has to stop Tottenham’s midfield from overrunning us, and hopefully, gets a goal too.

Eden Hazard (LW)

The Belgian should start in his favoured left-wing position as we get to see the best of the attacker out wide.

Olivier Giroud (ST)

Hazard should not play as the false 9 and Giroud should get the nod to lead the line on Thursday.

Read more: Chelsea star to reject £85,000-a-week deal to force move to Bayern Munich

Pedro (RW)

The Spanish winger has to pull up his socks against Tottenham. Pedro has the movement and speed to create problems for Spurs and hopefully scores a goal or two.

Thomas Hein

Recent Posts

Chelsea shortlist two names as Maresca keen to strengthen one key area

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca eyeing defensive reinforcements in January Chelsea could well find themselves in the market to improve their…

3 hours ago

Chelsea ready to cash in on £20m star in January

Chelsea are willing to offload Carney Chukwuemeka in January amid interest from Ipswich Town Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has some…

4 hours ago

Noni Madueke praises Cole Palmer, and says he doesn’t have a ceiling

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has sung the praises of his teammate, Cole Palmer, describing him as a player with extraordinary…

1 week ago

Fan Power: How Chelsea Fans Could Stop Stamford Bridge Move

Ask any matchday Chelsea fan who the CPO are, and they’ll tell you that it stands for the Chelsea Pitch…

3 weeks ago

Chelsea and Arsenal in pursuit of €427,308 per week striker

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a signing move for the Juventus Center forward in winter.

3 weeks ago

Former Arsenal star raves about Chelsea’s midfield maestro

Cole Palmer is taking the headlines for the performances he has been putting in since moving to Chelsea in the…

1 month ago