Chelsea have been in a scintillating form in this season’s Premier League title chase, winning 15 of their last 16 league games, but in most cases with the same squad.
The Blues have done very well so far staying widely injury-free, but Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has reminded how it’s vital for Antonio Conte to remember to give his squad players a proper run-out in the FA Cup, which returns this weekend.
Playing more younger players, as Nevin suggests, would give Chelsea’s first-team players an important rest ahead of next week’s back-to-back fixtures away at Liverpool and against Arsenal at the Bridge.
So this week coming is Brentford in the FA Cup and then it is the double-header of Liverpool away and Arsenal at the Bridge. Those two games are vital but have to go on hold as the FA Cup this year is very important to Chelsea, not just because we want to win it.
This is the perfect opportunity, as we all know, to give fringe players competitive game time. The more games in this cup run the better for them, because those players will be needed.
The stability of the side has been almost as incredible as this fine run of form the team has been on, but it cannot last indefinitely; injuries, suspensions and maybe even the odd form dip may occur.
– Pat Nevin, Chelsea’s official website
Chelsea will host West London rivals Brentford FC from the Championship, and are targeting to keep up their solid FA Cup round by going through to the fifth round of the historic tournament.
