Tonight, Chelsea travel to New Meadow to face Football League 2 side Shrewsbury Town as they aim to continue their fight in the League Cup.
Expecting a great contest, with Chelsea being the side unbeaten in the Premier League and Shrewsbury, a team with an unbeaten home record (P10 W9 D1) this season.
This game will be seen as a perfect excuse to give first team players some rest and young players a chance to play and gain minutes without making the game too uncomfortable. Here’s my break down of a predicted Line Up for tonight’s game against Shrewsbury.
Goalie: Petr Cech.
This is another chance for Cech to remind Mourinho the top class goalkeeper he is and give Courtois a rest after being named MOTM against Manchester United. Besides Cech has been solid in his limited performances this season and during his carreer at Chelsea.
Right back: Andreas Christensen.
Leaving Mourinho with a selection headache after both his first-team RBs are suspended, Christensen is the best contender for the starting spot and will probably be given the chance to impress.
Centre back: Gary Cahill
In my opinion it should be Terry’s time to get some rest after having played against Maribor in the Champions League last week. Cahill will be hoping for a solid performance against Shrewsbury. His presence will be crucial.
Centre back: Kurt Zouma
Zouma has been solid in all his performances with the first team so far. Having played really well against Maribor, he will definitely be played against Shrewsbury tonight. Fitting step by step into English football this will be a perfect chance for him to show his ability.
Left back: Filipe Luis
Luis has been stuck on the bench while Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta has enjoyed plenty of time on the pitch but in the absence of Azpi, Luis gave a perfectly solid performance but he really hasn’t shown his full potential just yet.
Central midfield: John Obi Mikel
Nemanja Matic has been highly impressive this season but he deserves a rest and this is the perfect opportunity for that to happen. Mourinho famously loathes to rest too many players but Mikel has played limited minutes and can provide the team with a good contention in the midfield.
Central midfield: Nathan Ake
In the last round against Bolton, Ake was one of the standout performers and his short apareance against Maribor earned him an assist. It is almost certain that he will start against Shrewsbury.
Right midfield: Mohamed Salah
Rarely used by Mourinho, this is the perfect scenario for Salah to shine and show the Chelsea boss what he’s worth and why he kept him at the club for the season.
Attacking midfield: Oscar
Many fans think youngster Jeremie Boga would take the starting spot thus giving Oscar a rest but he played for the U21 team last night so he cannot be involved against Shrewsbury. It’s likely that Oscar will be given a game against the League 2 side.
Left midfield: Andre Schurrle
Schurrle played a few minutes against United as he recovered from illness but he should start the game and give Eden Hazard a rest.
Striker: Izzy Brown
It is the time for youngster and 17 year old Izzy Brown who has been working hard in training with the first team and he DID NOT play for the U21s whereas Dominic Solanke did so there’s a big probability of him playing from the whistle. With both Loic Remy and Diego Costa injured and Didier Drogba struggling with fitness after playing 90 minutes for the Blues against United then Brown should be giving his chance.
