Chelsea fans barely have time to savor their recent return to winning form before the Blues dive back into action, aiming to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup. Enzo Maresca’s side has drawn what looks like the plum tie of the round, facing off against League One pacesetters Cardiff City—the only team from outside the Premier League still standing in the competition.
One notable absence will be loanee Omari Kellyman, who’s enjoying a strong start to his spell in Wales. However, Chelsea’s rules prevent him from lining up against his parent club, so he’ll sit this one out.
The last clash between Chelsea and Cardiff dates back to 2019, a dramatic affair that saw Neil Warnock fuming after the Blues netted twice late on to snatch a 2-1 victory. Can you recall who grabbed those crucial goals for Chelsea?
This midweek fixture presents the perfect opportunity for Maresca to shuffle his pack amid a grueling festive schedule. Players like Enzo Fernandez are in dire need of a breather, allowing the Italian boss to rotate heavily and keep his squad fresh.
According to The Chelsea Chronicle, here’s the predicted lineup that could spell trouble for Cardiff, featuring a whopping 11 changes from the side that triumphed over Everton:
- Goalkeeper: Filip Jorgensen is set for his eagerly anticipated return to the starting XI, hungry for game time ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
- Right-back: Josh Acheampong steps back in after being omitted against Everton. The young talent was a standout in the recent defeat to Atalanta.
- Center-backs: Tosin Adarabioyo anchors the defense as Maresca continues to manage Wesley Fofana’s minutes carefully. He’ll partner with Benoit Badiashile, the Frenchman who’s building fitness through selective appearances.
- Left-back: Jorrel Hato gets a rare nod ahead of Marc Cucurella, giving the Spaniard a much-needed rest after his consistent recent outings.
- Midfield: Andrey Santos earns a start, building on his goal in the previous round against Wolves. He’ll be joined by Moises Caicedo, who’s back available domestically following his three-match ban from the red card against Arsenal.
- Right-wing: Estevao Willian takes the flank, continuing to impress despite calls for more opportunities in the lineup.
- Attacking midfielder: Facundo Buonanotte returns at last, having not featured since coming off the bench against Qarabag in early November.
- Left-wing: Jamie Gittens slots in, replacing Alejandro Garnacho as the duo vies for that spot in the team.
- Striker: Marc Guiu leads the line up front, ready to spearhead the attack.
With this rotated squad brimming with talent and motivation, Cardiff City should brace for a tough night. Chelsea’s depth could prove overwhelming, edging them one step closer to another Wembley outing.