As one opportunity ends, another is already on the horizon as fresh from Champions League defeat Chelsea endeavour to earn a place in their fourth final of the season by overcoming Crystal Palace at Wembley. It's a case of unfinished business for the Blues who have found themselves as the runner-up in the FA Cup in the previous two seasons with defeats to Leicester City and Arsenal - Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to go one step better on this occasion.
Chelsea face off with their London rivals on Sunday, after Manchester City and Liverpool compete at the same venue so Tuchel's side can earn a win against the Eagles, they will once again have an opportunity to prove themselves against the Premier League's best. However, Patrick Vieira and Palace presented plenty of problems.
Tuchel has used the FA Cup to rotate his side throughout the rounds so far but this is the first time Chelsea face a top flight team in the competition having dispatched Chesterfield, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and Middlesbrough on their way to the penultimate stage. Crystal Palace will likely offer the Blues their stiffest test so far.
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The Blues were required to put in a monumental effort against Real Madrid despite their European exit and there will be some big decisions for Tuchel to make based on recovery
Kepa Arrizabalaga in, Edouard Mendy out?
A decision that will no doubt receive some attention given Tuchel's choice to switch to Mendy for the Carabao Cup final after the Spaniard had played every other round of the competition. Kepa has already missed Chelsea's trip to the Riverside in the quarter-finals of the competition due to illness but was trusted in the rounds in advance of that. Though, Marcus Bettinelli was trusted in the Blues' opening FA Cup clash against Chesterfield.
Tuchel has already proven not to be sentimental about such decision, but the occasion could prove an opportunity to allow Mendy to rest ahead of the final stretch of the season. Or the semi-final may still prove too important.
Ahead of the Carabao Cup final Tuchel said: “It’s very easy to answer, Kepa absolutely deserves. I cannot get sentimental about it. I have to do what is in the end, in my opinion, the very best solution for the team. I know that this position is a very sensitive position. If Kepa was a player in the field among the other 10 players, we would not have these discussions, just be full of praise because we are for him. He would feel it in minutes. He is in the one position where you don’t do a lot of changes and still he would absolutely deserve it. I will not be sentimental about the decision.”
That may put Mendy in the driving seat but it's by no means a done deal.
Reece James move
While James was placed on the bench between the Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid, there is little danger of that happening on this occasion. The England international proved his defensive qualities against Vinicius Junior on Tuesday night, while Chelsea have been reliant on his attacking qualities when he has been available throughout the season.
James should return to a more familiar wing-back position against the Eagles, where he his most effective having racked up six goals and seven assists with only Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Timo Werner earning more goal contributions over the course of this season.
That could see Andreas Christensen slot back into the side, but the attacking qualities of players such as Wilfried Zaha could threaten the same areas as Vinicius exploited at Stamford Bridge against the Blues. That leaves Trevoh Chalobah and Cesar Azpilicueta in contention for the clash too. The duo and Christensen were all in the side that kept a clean sheet against Vieira's side in August, while Denmark international Christensen played at right-back as the Blues held Palace off in February.
Waiting on the wings
Timo Werner has made consecutive Chelsea starts against Southampton and Real Madrid and will fancy his chances of starting in the FA Cup semi-final after notching four goals in that period. The German forward was relentless at St Mary's and tormented Carlo Ancelotti's defence at the Bernabeu in support of Kai Havertz.
Christian Pulisic made two misses that could have sealed Chelsea's passage in Europe, and has struggled to make an impression since returning from international duty with the USA. That said, his record against the Eagles is impeccable. Six played, six wins and five goals. Pretty impressive.
Tuchel has even acknowledged the fact. He said: "It exists you cannot hide from the fact that it exists that some players score more against certain teams. Maybe once the belief is starting and growing, maybe it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. First of all, Christian deserves by performance in the [Club World Cup] final to stay in the group and team. Let's see if we decide like this, if it's like this I have no problem if he can extend his run against them."
The German coach may be tempted to rely on that fact again to inspire some form from the American.
Who would you start against Crystal Palace? Should Thomas Tuchel stick with the players who have been successful earlier in the competition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
