Maurizio Sarri has named an expected starting eleven for Chelsea as they take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final.
The Chelsea manager has named an identical back four, with Andreas Christensen doing the dutiful job of replacing Antonio Rudiger in central defence. Emerson Palmieri on the other hand, continues to be preferred over Marcos Alonso, who seems no nearer to regaining his place as the first-choice left-back under Sarri, at least for now.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante will be a big miss. But, Jorginho will have the in-form Ruben Loftus-Cheek for company while Mateo Kovacic will hope to end the season on a positive note, with his season-long loan stint at the club set to be over.
Our semi-final line-up! ?#CHEFRA pic.twitter.com/yMa473xCR3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 9, 2019
The attack though, is where there might be questions to be asked. While Eden Hazard is a certainty in the starting eleven, Sarri has chosen to give preference to personal records, with Olivier Giroud’s Europa League form this season earning him a start against Eintracht Franfkurt.
Willian completes the starting lineup for Chelsea, who do have the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Pedro to bring on, should the need arise.
