Joao Pedro will replace Liam Delap in the Chelsea starting lineup when they take on Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Chelsea will aim to overturn the narrow deficit from the first leg and secure a spot in the EFL Cup final when they lock horns with Arsenal at the Emirates in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday night. Liam Rosenior has received a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Filip Jorgensen should be fit and available to take on Arsenal after recovering from their minor injuries. However, Estevao Willian’s availability is uncertain due to personal reasons. Meanwhile, Jamie Gittens is the latest absentee after sustaining a thigh injury in the Premier League game against West Ham United this past weekend.
The English winger has joined Tosin Adarabioyo (hamstring), Levi Colwill (knee), and Dario Essugo (thigh) in the treatment room. Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension after failing a doping test over a year ago. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Rosenior provided a fitness update on Gittens and discussed Estevao’s absence.
The Chelsea boss said, “I don’t know yet. With Este, he’s a young kid who’s come and been magnificent. He’s going through a really difficult time for personal reasons and he’s on compassionate leave. I won’t put any pressure on him. It has to be right for him and he has to feel he’s in the right place to perform for this team.”
“Jamie unfortunately felt his hamstring, I don’t know the extent of the injury. It’s a real shame for him because I wanted to give him a start and I wanted him to show what he could do. So, for him to come off after 25 minutes is disappointing for him and hopefully it’s not too bad.”
Robert Sanchez is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Chelsea lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Arsenal on Tuesday. The backline will feature Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot. Cole Palmer will reprise the no. 10 role, with Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joao Pedro will lead the line for the away side against Arsenal on Tuesday. So, Liam Delap, Andrey Santos, and Malo Gusto will be among the backup options on the bench.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
