Chelsea travel to the King Power Stadium as they look to bounce back after a 1-2 loss against Liverpool. They have been drawn against Leicester City in the 3rd round of the EFL Cup which has been billed as the highlight match of the round.
Chelsea don’t have the added distraction (lure) of Champions League football this season and will look to progress in the domestic cups which will give them a realistic avenue for additional trophies this season. Leicester City could prove to be more than able opponents and Antonio Conte cannot look to rotate his squad a drastic amount.
We look at 3 important areas of interest for the Chelsea fans ahead of the match tonight.
CONTE’S TEAM SELECTION
Antonio Conte does not seem to have zeroed in on his best eleven till now which means the players who will be drafted in have a chance to stake a claim for more regular football in the coming weeks. Also, we can have a clearer idea about the Italian’s priorities regarding the EFL Cup as it presents a more realistic chance of silverware for them.
The likes of Pedro and Michy Batshuayi will be hopeful of getting their chances and will look to leave a mark. Asmir Begovic might get a game and with the last few displays of Courtois not generating the sort of confidence associated with the Belgian, Begovic can hope to bring about a competition for the keeper’s spot.
CESC FABREGAS’S SITUATION
There has been intense speculation regarding the Spanish midfielder throughout the summer and he has subsequently been linked with an exit in January. And although Conte has reiterated Fabregas’s future is with them, his actions have not yet backed his words. It will be interesting to see whether he will be selected and the impact he can have on the pitch.
Conte has so far gone for industry rather than creativity and an eye-catching performance from the former Barcelona and Arsenal man might well be enough for renewed first team football again. He certainly provides a different dimension and if he can add to his work-rate, he can be an asset to them this season.
CHELSEA’S DEFENSIVE DISPLAY
With Kurt Zouma being a long term absentee and John Terry expected to be back in the weekend, it leaves Conte with Gary Cahill and David Luiz as his only options and a good opportunity to test them against the likes of Vardy and Mahrez. But the move may backfire if they concede further goals with already 2 scored against them by Liverpool.
