Chelsea v Morecambe: Predicted Blues XI for FA Cup clash

Chelsea will begin their FA Cup campaign when they host League Two side Morecambe on Saturday afternoon. 

The Blues have reached the final of the competition 11 times since 2000 – winning the trophy six times – but they haven’t lived the cup since 2018 and have since lost three finals.

Enzo Maresca will be hoping to see his side return to winning ways in convincing fashion on Saturday, having overseen two draws and two defeats from their last four Premier League games, but he is also likely to rotate his side heavily for the visit of the Shrimps.

Here, we predict the XI that the Italian could select for the game.

Goalkeeper

Filip Jorgensen has played in all eight of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League and both of their Carabao Cup matches so far this season – as well as two Premier League games – and he is in line to start on Saturday. The Dane will be hoping to add to his tally of four clean sheets.

Defenders

At the back, Maresca could hand club captain Reece James a start at right-back with the Englishman having recently returned from injury. The Englishman has missed more than 100 games for the Blues since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, and he is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes on Saturday with his return to be managed.

In the centre of defence, Josh Acheampong could partner Tosin Adarabioyo. Acheampong made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace last time out and was impressive for the Blues, and he could benefit from both Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana being injured. Levi Colwill is likely to be rested.

Acheampong could make another start for Chelsea having impressed against Crystal Palace

At left-back Renato Veiga is likely to start, giving Marc Cucurella a rest. Maresca revealed during his pre-match press conference that Ben Chilwell – who has played just once this season – won’t be involved as he is close to leaving the club.

Midfielders

Regular midfield pairing Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be rested, meaning Romeo Lavia could be thrown straight in having been declared fit after injury. The Belgian has struggled with injuries since joining Chelsea in 2023, and he is therefore unlikely to play the entirety of Saturday’s match.

Lavia could be joined in midfield by youngster Sam Rak-Sakyi. The youngster has made four appearances in the Conference League so far this term, and could now be handed a first domestic start.

Nkunku has scored 12 goals this season, but only twice in the Premier League

Ahead of them, Christopher Nkunku could be deployed in his more natural position as a ‘number ten’. The Frenchman has scored ten goals in nine games across the Conference League and Carabao Cup this term, but has started just three of Chelsea’s 20 Premier League matches.

Cesare Casadei and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are likely to leave Chelsea this month and therefore won’t be involved.

Forwards

In attack, youngster Tyrique George could be given another chance to impress on the right flank. The 18-year-old winger has appeared in all six of Chelsea’s European group phase games this term, but is yet to score or assist at senior level. He will hope to change that against the Shrimps.

Through the middle, Marc Guiu is likely to start with Nicolas Jackson given a rest. Guiu scored a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League in December to take his tally in the competition to six goals in as many games.

Guiu scored a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers in his last start for Chelsea

Joao Felix may have to settle for a place on the left of the Blues’ attack as Maresca attempts to afford opportunities to several players in his bloated squad. The Portuguese has struggled since returning for his second spell at Stamford Bridge, but he will be expected to take the opportunity to impress if given a start on Saturday.

Predicted XI: Jorgensen; James, Acheampong, Tosin, Veiga; Lavia, Rak-Sakyi, Nkunku; George, Guin, Felix.