Chelsea vs Arsenal Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea EPL
Callum Hudson-Odoi Chelsea

Chelsea suffered a rather shocking loss to Arsenal in the Premier League in midweek but Thomas Tuchel will have no time to analyze this defeat since the Blues now have to shift their focus to the FA Cup final.

Tuchel side take on Leicester City in the final on Saturday and this will be the new manager’s first shot at a major silverware since taking charge at Chelsea.

Historically Chelsea are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 home matches against Leicester in all competitions and their recent form has also been pretty solid as they have kept a clean sheet in their previous three FA Cup matches. But that 1-0 loss to Arsenal is sure to shake things up a bit inside the Chelsea dressing room.

The manager has an almost fully fit to choose from and he also managed to rest some first-team players in midweek so, barring any late injury concerns, Tuchel should be naming his strongest XI on Saturday.

Chelsea team news vs Leicester City:

Edouard Mendy was sat on the bench in the Arsenal game as Kepa Arrizabalaga started ahead of him. But the manager has more or less confirmed that this substitution was made to give the Spaniard some game time and that Mendy will be back on goal at Wembley.

He said after the Arsenal game: ‘We thought it was a good idea to give him the game before because first of all we trust him and he deserves it. That is the basis that we put him in the line-up.

‘He is so close and so good in training that we wanted to give him some minutes and to take both games together. It was an unlucky night for him as well.’

Azpilicueta and Zouma started in defence against Arsenal but the pair will most likely make way for Christensen and Antonio Rudiger while Thiago Silva keeps his place.

Jorginho’s childish error saw Arsenal score the only goal of the match in midweek but with Mateo Kovacic still an injury absentee, the Italian is bound to get another start.

 

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Billy Gilmour started in midfield against the Gunners so that Kante is properly rested. On Saturday the youngster will head back to the as the French international comes back into the fold.

Hakim Ziyech made a lot of impact after coming on as a sub in the second half against Arsenal and he should get the nod ahead of Christian Pulisic during the final. Timo Werner also remained an unused sub in midweek so chances are that Thomas Tuchel might have been saving him for the final as well.

Mason Mount is one of the first names on the Chelsea manager’s team sheet so the youngster will keep his place but if Timo Werner is coming into the side then it has to be at the expense of Kai Havertz.

Chelsea’s predicted line-up vs Leicester City:

Predicted XI: Edouard Mendy; Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Christensen; Kante, Jorginho, Ben Chilwell, Reece James; Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech.

Stats via Whoscored.

Read: How Leicester City could line up at Wembley

Read: Leicester City could suffer a massive injury setback for the FA Cup final.

Read: Why Arsenal can’t be blamed for their ultra-defensive performance against the Blues.

Read: Thomas Tuchel explains why Chelsea failed to break down Arsenal at the Bridge.