36 min: A succession of fouls by Sheffield United, who are still competing in highly physical fashion. In truth, Chelsea have created little, but they are doing enough. It’s a very Tuchel-esque display thus far. Not exactly a thrill a minute, but controlled, with the attacking wing-backs providing the greatest threat.
32 min: A stat, courtesy of the Beeb: This is the 20th FA Cup quarter-final in the past 30 seasons for Chelsea. Meanwhile, Mount swings a free-kick in to the danger area. Sheffield United manage to clear it. Hudson-Odoi has a go now, crossing to the back stick, but it’s a little too high and the danger is over for the Blades, for the moment at least.
30 min: Chelsea attack down the right with Pulisic and Mount linking up. Pulisic switches the play, Sheffield United manage to recover their defensive shape momentarily and Tuchel’s team retain possession. Gilmour then spots a diagonal run by Hudson-Odoi and curls a fine pass over the top for his teammate, left to right, but the sprinting Hudson-Odoi can’t control it, and it looked like he was just offside, too. Anyway, Chelsea are firmly in control of this.
Deadlock broken. A corner drops to Chilwell on the edge of the penalty area. He hits a raking cross-shot, left-footed, back across goal. Norwood dives towards it to try and clear, but there’s plenty of power on the ball and he succeeds only in diverting the ball (which is going wide) into the far corner of the net.
22 min: It’s not exactly end-to-end but it’s a good contest, this. The Sheffield United defenders are busier than a mail-order booze company during lockdown, but they are competing well.
20 min: Some excellent defending-from-the-front by Chelsea sees the Blades get in a little mess and concede a throw-in after trying to play the ball out from defence. That’s a tick on Tuchel’s clipboard, right there.
17 min: Bogle concedes a free-kick in the left-hand corner for a push in Chilwell’s back. It’s a good opportunity, but Mount fluffs the free-kick and fails to clear the first defender at the near post. Sheffield United currently look happy to defend deep, invite Chelsea pressure and look for the odd opportunity on the break, after a period of intense pressing to begin with.
15 min: Defensively the Blades look bang up for this, their shape is excellent. However, Pulisic clips a lovely ball across the field to Hudson-Odoi, who immediately cuts the ball back for Mount to drive a cross into the six-yard box from the right. Sheffield United clear the danger.
11 min: It’s been a very solid start from Sheffield United. They are pressing the ball really well when out of possession, and using the ball nicely when they have it. They win another corner. Tuchel is pictured ranting and raving to himself after another misunderstanding between his players on the pitch.
9 min: McGoldrick and Kovacic have a little wrestling match and it ends with Sheffield United winning a corner. Then there is a sight of goal for Jagielka as the corner is swung into the danger area! But his header loops up into the air and is easily gathered by Kepa.
7 min: Hudson-Odoi embarks on a sprint infield from the right. He looks for Olivier Giroud with a low pass but the French striker misread his teammate’s intention and the ball squirts through to the goalkeeper, Ramsdale.
6 min: Emerson tries to release Chilwell with a ball over the top, but it’s overhit. Tuchel is pictured on the touchline, sitting with arms folded and chewing gum. Nothing much is happening on the pitch.
3 min: The visitors are lining up, as usual, with three centre-backs and wing-backs. Tuchel loves a wing-back himself and Chelsea are playing 3-4-2-1 with Hudson-Odoi and Chilwell bombing on. There is a neat bit of early work in midfield by Billy Gilmour, who has settled into the match immediately. Both teams looking to feel each other out early on, and nothing resembling a clear chance, despite that early effort from long range by McGoldrick.
1 min: Sheffield United’s David McGoldrick unleashes an early shot on goal from distance. It’s a nice hit but straight at Kepa, who catches.
We’re off. Chelsea are in blue and white, Sheffield United in pink and grey.
The teams are out on the pitch at a sunny Stamford Bridge.
Paul Heckingbottom, the interim Sheffield United manager, has a chat with the BBC: “We’re going to need to be at our best ... we’re under no illusions about how tough it’s going to be. But it’s a great opportunity.”
Now Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel on his decision to give Mason Mount the captaincy (as his predecessor Frank Lampard also did in his final match in charge). “Mason was already captain in one of the FA Cup rounds,” says Tuchel. “Leadership is not a question of age. He has everything he needs to lead the team in this game. I’m happy for him, and I’m sure he will show up.”
As Woody Allen once said, 80 per cent of success in life is just showing up.
Shaky mobile phone footage of Sheffield United getting off their team bus? Yes please!
Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited)
Bladesmen in the building. 👊#CHESHU 🏆 pic.twitter.com/67H8xAI9G8
March 21, 2021
“I see Chelsea are fielding a weakened team for this match,” writes Rick Harris. “Obviously they feel they have nothing to fear from the Blades and their rather blunt cutting edge. I am hoping for a Portsmouth / Wigan style go-down-to-the-Championship-carrying-the-Cup end to the Sheffield United season. Could we see another Kepa klanger?”
How exactly has Tuchel got Chelsea firing again? Jonathan Wilson takes a closer look:
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has said the London club’s trophy cabinet justifies the high turnover of managers under his stewardship.
Chelsea have had 14 managers since the Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003, with Thomas Tuchel the latest to take over at Stamford Bridge after replacing Frank Lampard in January.
In that period, Chelsea have won 16 major trophies, including the Champions League, UEFA Europa League twice and five Premier League crowns.
“I think the trophies speak for themselves and show what we have been able to achieve, and it’s my goal for us to keep winning trophies and build for the future,” Abramovich told Forbes in an article published on Friday.
“Chelsea has a very rich history, and I feel extremely fortunate to play a part in that. The club was here before me and will be here after me, but my job is to ensure we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future.”
“I think we are pragmatic in our choices. And we are comfortable making the right changes at the right time to ensure we can achieve our long-term ambitions. Those who join understand the objectives on the pitch and the community.” (Reuters)
Phil Jagielka starts today, just four days after the death of his 43-year-old brother, Steve. The interim Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has said the defender has been training as usual, and ‘wanted normality’ before this match. Steve Jagielka’s playing career included spells at Stoke, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United. Condolences to all concerned.
Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited)
Sheffield United is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Steve Jagielka – brother of current defender Phil – at the age of 43.
The condolences of all at the Blades are with Phil and the rest of the Jagielka family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/uWzFO5npAD
March 17, 2021
What larks to kick off today’s MBM action. Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is just over 30 minutes away.
From the horse’s mouth, Chelsea’s website - nine changes made by Tuchel:
“In total, Thomas Tuchel brings nine fresh faces in to his starting XI. Kurt Zouma and Mateo Kovacic are the two who keep their place from Wednesday’s win, the Croatian making his 100th start in blue. Kepa is in goal and Emerson is expected to form part of the back three, as he did at Barnsley in the previous round. Andreas Christensen returns from illness and captain Mason Mount from suspension. Olivier Giroud leads the line and there is a place in midfield for Billy Gilmour. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are the wing-backs.”
It might be interesting / funny to know how they released the wrong team - does anyone know what occurred? Let me know on email or tweet me. Thanks.
Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
Correction on previous line-up tweeted. Mason Mount takes the armband, Kai Havertz makes the bench instead of Mendy #CHESHU https://t.co/LBEjV4n8qN
March 21, 2021
Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Kepa; Zouma, Christensen, Emerson; Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Gilmour, Chilwell; Mount (c), Pulisic; Giroud.
Subs: Caballero, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Alonso, James, Kanté, Ziyech, Havertz, Werner.
You know what, I think that might be the wrong Chelsea team which has been released by the club. There is some confusion. I am checking ...
Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Chilwell, Kanté, Jorginho, Pulisic, Ziyech, Mount, Havertz. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Werner, Zouma, Kovacic, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, James, Emerson Palmieri.
Sheff Utd: Ramsdale, Baldock, Jagielka, Stevens, Osborn, Bogle, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, McGoldrick, McBurnie. Subs: Mousset, Lowe, Burke, Foderingham, Brewster, Bryan, Brunt, Gordon, Ndiaye.
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire)
Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited)
Our line-up. 🔁
Paul Heckingbottom has made five changes to his side ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea.#CHESHU pic.twitter.com/vKMhFHin6O
March 21, 2021
Thomas Tuchel is doing an excellent job at Chelsea. Since he succeeded Frank Lampard his team are unbeaten in 13 matches including nine wins. They have conceded just two goals, progressed to the last eight of the Champions League, and rejoined the race to qualify for next season’s competition. The last time they conceded was more than a month ago. If there is a quibble, it’s an inability to turn possession into goals, but that should improve as Tuchel’s system becomes more embedded. “We’ll never stop thinking about how to create chances, offensive solutions, where to create spaces and to accelerate our attacks,” Tuchel said on Friday.
And quite apart from the results, it is apparent that Tuchel is a young coach who has a gift for relating to his players, for building positive relationships and fostering a strong team spirit. It is not for the benefit of the cameras that he embraces his players with such affection after a good result. Pundits exchanged concerned glances when Tuchel hauled off the substitute, Callum Hudson-Odoi, in the second half against Southampton last month. The fear was that Chelsea’s infamous player power may might soon see Tuchel hung, drawn and quartered. But maybe players such as Hudson-Odoi lack the arrogance and ego of certain previous Stamford Bridge performers? The decision was explained by Tuchel, accepted by Hudson-Odoi and they moved on.
So who can stop Chelsea? Will it be Sheffield United in today’s FA Cup quarter-final? It looks unlikely – Chris Wilder is gone but there was no positive reaction in the 5-0 hammering by Leicester City last weekend. The Blades remain hampered by injuries and relegation from the Premier League is a certainty. Booking an FA Cup semi-final at the expense of Chelsea would be a tonic, but the form guide overwhelmingly points to Chelsea progress. Team news and pre-match reading coming up.
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