Friday, May 14, 2021

Kovacic or Jorginho? Werner or Havertz? Chelsea get Kante boost but must make big decisions as Leicester sweat on Evans for FA Cup final

A clean bill of health in a squad worth millions is rarely considered a problem.

But nevertheless, it presents Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel with some difficult decisions ahead of the FA Cup final against Leicester.

Chelsea vs Leicester is LIVE on talkSPORT this Saturday!

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Chelsea vs Leicester is LIVE on talkSPORT this Saturday!

Tuchel all-but confirmed N’Golo Kante is the first name on his team sheet after recovering from a minor issue that ruled him out of the Arsenal defeat on Wednesday.

“He will start tomorrow, and very likely finish the game for us,” the Blues boss said.

It’s who partners Kante which will give Tuchel more of a headache, now Mateo Kovacic is fit and available.

The dynamic Croatian has missed the last nine matches due to a thigh problem – and an FA Cup final isn’t the place to recover match sharpness.

Kovacic offers more power and speed than Jorginho

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Kovacic offers more power and speed than Jorginho

However, his return to fitness comes after Jorginho’s sloppy back-pass handed victory to the Gunners earlier this week, and the Italian could be punished for his error.

But Jorginho wasn’t the only man at fault for the defeat. Kai Havertz, playing up front in place of Timo Werner, spurned a glorious opportunity to put the Blues in front early on.

With Mason Mount a guaranteed starter and Christian Pulisic in good form, it’s likely only one of Havertz or Werner will get the nod on Saturday.

It’s potentially telling that Werner was rested for the entirety of the Arsenal game.

Werner and Havertz could be fighting for the no. 9 slot

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Werner and Havertz could be fighting for the no. 9 slot

For Leicester, they also must decide whether to throw formerly injured players like James Maddison in at the deep end.

Meanwhile, the Foxes are desperate for Jonny Evans to be passed fit, not only so that he can return to the heart of their defence, but so that Tiomthy Castagne can play at wing-back.

Leicester will no doubt match Chelsea’s back three with their own variation of the formation, which is likely to include Luke Thomas after his wonder strike at Old Trafford, with Ricardo Perreira also in a race to be fit.

How Chelsea could line up

Will this line-up win it for Chelsea?

Will this line-up win it for Chelsea?

How Leicester could line up

Is a fit Jonny Evans enough to win Leicester the FA Cup for the first time?

Is a fit Jonny Evans enough to win Leicester the FA Cup for the first time?


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