• March 18, 2022
• Olaoluwa Nwobodo

There are no easy games in the FA Cup and the term “the magic of the cup” is most definitely real. If you still don’t believe it’s real, look at the fact that Chelsea’s opponents in this match knocked out Tottenham Hotspur in their last round, right after knocking out Manchester United in the round before that. Of course, Chelsea still has to beat them, and this is where Thomas Tuchel’s Blues shows what they’re made of. After all, there’s a reason Chelsea has gotten to the FA Cup final in three of their last four seasons. Here’s who we expect to start in this one:

Goalkeeper: The cup keeper, Arrizabalaga

Kepa Arrizabalaga starts this one for sure. With Edouard Mendy still the first choice Premier League and Champions league goalkeeper, Arrizabalaga has to hold down the domestic cups. He was very close to being cup hero in the Carabao cup final against Liverpool but didn’t go according to plan. The Spaniard will be able to hold his own against Middlesbrough though.

Defenders: Strong defense, Silva at the center of it all

With Middlesbrough having knocked Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, it’s easy to think this is why Tuchel will select a strong defense for this one. However, if you think back to Chelsea’s third-round tie against Chesterfield, Tuchel also went with a strong lineup. Tuchel has decided not to take chances in the cups having gotten to two domestic finals and winning none. This is why we can expect Chelsea’s two strongest centerbacks, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger to start. These two defenders understand themselves quite well and with the skipper Cesar Azpilicueta alongside them, Middlesbrough will know they’re in for a long day at the hands of the Champions of Europe. Marcos Alonso also likely starts in this one, as he’s the best left back/left wingback available at the moment.

Many fans are already complaining about Malang Sarr. This is silly because not long ago they were preferring him to Alonso. The inability to admit that the job Alonso does for Chelsea at left back/left wingback is a difficult one, causes fans to harshly criticize Alonso after every game and call for “anyone but him” to play there. These calls last until anyone but Alonso plays there, then they see that it’s difficult to produce what the Spaniard does on that left flank.

Midfielders: Midfield three with Saul and Mount

Tuchel likely starts Jorginho at the center of the midfield three but it’s anyone’s guess who plays either side of the Italian. Chelsea does go on break after this match until the 2^nd of April, however, this is a rare chance for Tuchel to hand out playing time to players who have gotten the short end of the stick. For this reason, Saul is likely to get a start. He has played well in this competition this season. In fact he was superb in his last match and was busy both in and out of possession. His goal was superb, giving Chelsea the equalizer, an equalizer that served its purpose of calming everyone’s nerves.

Mason Mount is likely to also start alongside Jorginho as the more attacking central midfielder. It could also be Ruben Loftus-Cheek, though if the former Fulham loanee plays he likely comes on as a substitute. Mount has the drive, vision and movement to act as the undetected runner arriving in the box. Mount will also play a key defensive role in the middle of the park. Middlesbrough is likely to make it as much of a physical matchup as possible. Of course Loftus-Cheek is a better position to win physical battles in the midfield. It would be interesting to see who Tuchel plays alongside Jorginho in this one.

Forwards: Ziyech returns to supply Lukaku and Pulisic

Ziyech nearly didn’t feature against Lille in midweek, though that’s more due to him being rested for this fixture. Ziyech’s off-the-ball work rate as well as his skill on the ball will give Chelsea an advantage in this match. Pulisic has been firing on all cylinders lately and this is the perfect match to give him a chance to keep in form. Lukaku has not started any of Chelsea’s last four matches but he’d understand why. He would therefore be waiting to pounce on any opportunity to show why he should be starting over his German colleague. Ziyech has been Chelsea’s best player since the turn of the year and with Pulisic’s movement and Lukaku’s finishing, Chelsea should easily see off Middlesbrough.

Prediction: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger, Alonso, Mount, Jorginho, Saul, Ziyech, Lukaku, Pulisic

No? Who do you think starts this one? Let us know in the comments.