Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho might be ready to take a huge risk ahead of the Game at the Etihad stadium on Saturday.
According to Chelsea’s manager, a defeat on Saturday would give Chelsea an advantage for this year’s title race. The FA cup is below both the Premier League and the Champions League in the Chelsea manager’s pecking order, while Manuel Pellegrini claims the quadruple is still a target for the Eastlands outfit.
Chelsea have been beset by defensive injuries of late with the latest casualty being in-form centre back Gary Cahill who is struggling with a calf injury. John Terry missed the match with West Brom and it showed when Chelsea conceded a late goal courtesy of Victor Anichebe, with David Luiz the culprit with some lazy defending.
The Chelsea captain has been in excellent form this season and up until the West Brom match had played in all of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season. He had formed a crucial partnership with Cahill that had seen Chelsea concede only two goals in the eight games they were together. During this time they won seven and drew just once, that draw a controversial 0-0 at home to West Ham.
Mourinho has acknowledged that taking risks with players at this stage of the season could prove costly and therefore he may have to partner David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic at the back. We could also see Ashley Cole make a rare start at left back with Azpilicueta moving to right back.
Such is the depth of the Blues squad it could see Lampard, Cole, Schurrle, Salah and Torres start to ensure they can rest key squad members in what is sure to be a key period for both their Premier League and Champions League ambitions. That does mean that Hazard, Ramires, Oscar and Eto’o could be rested.
Man City are still without the services of Sergio Aguero and key midfielder Fernandinho, but Samir Nasri could play some part after recovering from a knee ligament injury. City will look to use this fixture to address their slide after the recent defeat to Chelsea in the league. They have been held to a goalless draw at strugglers Norwich and have gone two games without scoring.
Both sides will have one eye on the Premier League fixtures that take place after this fifth round tie with Chelsea facing Tottenham at the Bridge while Manchester City face Stoke City at the Etihad, but after Wednesday’s cancellation due to bad weather there will certainly be more pressure on Manuel Pellegrini.
This fixture pile up will undoubtedly put pressure on the Manchester outfit but a win against the Blues could go a long way to putting their title charge back on track after two disappointing results.
