The confirmed line-ups are here as Chelsea travel to Wembley Stadium prepared to face their title rivals Tottenham Hotspur in this afternoon’s vital FA Cup semi-final clash.
Antonio Conte has had to solve a bunch of tactical issues for the tie due to players’ drops in form and concerns over their fitness. And he didn’t hold back on the changes…
It's matchday!
COME ON CHELSEA! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Cgx3YTR7vz— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 22, 2017
Vice-captain Gary Cahill misses the game due to illness following a two-night spell at a hospital, and is replaced by Nathan Ake in the three-man defensive line.
With Cahill sidelined and John Terry benched Conte has also had to find a new man to carry the armband today, deciding to let Cesar Azpilicueta have the chance to prove his leadership abilities.
Thibaut Courotis and Marcos Alonso are fit and available for the game following their absence in Chelsea’s previous game last Sunday at Old Trafford.
But Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are dropped, presumably being rested for the league game on Tuesday night.
All in all, Conte sticks to the safe and secure 3-4-3 formation, and here are the full team news for both of today’s sides…
CHELSEA:
Our starting team today is Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), David Luiz, Ake; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro. #CHETOT
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 22 April 2017
TOTTENHAM:
#THFC: Lloris (C), Trippier, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Wanyama, Dembele, Son, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/8SBCVXeBhc
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 22 April 2017
