After suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Chelsea have a bit of work to do when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Thursday.
The Blues were beaten by Arsenal in their last game and need to make a statement as results of late haven’t been what we’d expect from the former Premier League Champions.
Chelsea don’t have a long list of injuries, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek being their only absentee ahead of the clash against Tottenham.
Defence
Minimal changes are expected in defence despite a disappointing defeat against Arsenal this past weekend.
Both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso will retain their place in the full-back slots, but they certainly need to be more vigilant against an equally challenging opposition in Tottenham.
Antonio Rudiger will continue to feature at the heart of the Chelsea backline while the only change in defence might see the experienced David Luiz make way for Andreas Christensen in central defence.
The Dane has failed to make himself a regular fixture under Maurizio Sarri this season, but will have a great opportunity to show his quality against Spurs who will be without Harry Kane.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will remain in goal with Chelsea lacking any reliable second choice keepers.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic will make way for Ross Barkley after failing to impress last weekend. The Englishman should start alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.
Expect Jorginho to dominate the proceedings, especially against a Tottenham side decimated by injuries. The Italian will be important as he will be tasked with the responsibility of recycling possession as well evading Spurs’ high press in midfield.
Barkley, on the other hand, is likely to be asked to provide additional support in attack.
Attack
Sarri may once again deploy Eden Hazard as the false nine. In that case, the Belgian international might be partnered with the wide duo of Willian and Callum-Hudson Odoi, the latter likely to replace Pedro in the right-wing role.
Hudson-Odoi’s pace coupled with Willian’s creativity could create a myriad of problems for the Tottenham defence while Hazard, having failed to score in any of his last four matches, will be keen to get on to the scoresheet.
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