Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ṃason Mount and Jorginho are all set to return when Chelsea face Sheffield United in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Chelsea will be hoping to book safe passage through to the FA Cup semi-finals when they play hosts to Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. And, Thomas Tuchel has been handed a major boost ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Mason Mount and Jorginho are available again after being suspended for the midweek UEFA Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid. In addition, Tammy Abraham is also at the disposal of the Chelsea boss, meaning Thiago Silva is the only player who is on the sidelines.
Chelsea vs Sheffield United Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Tuchel did provide an update on Abraham and Silva during his pre-match press conference, saying, “Now is not the moment to take the risk with Thiago. It is the last game before the international break and he wasn’t on the pitch today, but he is working hard and hopefully he can rejoin the group during the international break. “
“Tammy was with the group today and we hope he will be available for Sunday. We had a scary moment when he stumbled and twisted his ankle but it seems not too serious. He was in a lot of pain at the time but he feels ok now and I hope he can be in the squad for Sunday.”
Abraham is unlikely to start, but he should make the bench on Sunday, with Olivier Giroud leading the line for Chelsea against Sheffield United. The Frenchman will be supported by Mount and Christian Pulisic, who will make only his second start under Tuchel.
In midfield, Jorginho should be reinstated in the starting lineup straight away, with the Italian international set to have Billy Gilmour as his midfield partner, as N’Golo Kante is afforded some well-earned rest. Out wide, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell ought to come in for Reece James and Marcos Alonso, respectively.
Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen is believed to be available again after missing the midweek fixture due to illness. The Dane should return to the starting lineup, with Antonio Rudiger getting a bit of a breather, meaning Kurt Zouma and captain Cesar Azpilicueta will complete the back three. Finally, Kepa Arrizabalaga is set for a rare start in goal ahead of Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea Predicted XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Gilmour, Chilwell; Pulisic, Mount; Giroud
