Chelsea’s preparations for the Carabao Cup final couldn’t have gone much better after a well earned draw against Manchester City followed back to back wins against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
The showdown against Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday is arguably Mauricio Pochettino’s most important game in charge of the Blues with the 51 year old having never won a major trophy in England.
After a difficult period with heavy defeats against Liverpool and Wolves in the Premier League which really piled the pressure on the Argentine, Chelsea have started to turn the corner over the last three games with the players showing more consistency and playing with more freedom.
Given the teams recent form it’s hard to see there being many changes if any for the showpiece event at Wembley but Pochettino is faced with a few decisions.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is fit again but missed the draw against Manchester City with a personal problem. In his absence Djordje Petrovic has been a calming presence in the Chelsea goal doing more than enough to keep his place and it would seem strange to make a change in such a huge game.
Thiago Silva, who is being assessed this week having picked up an injury against Crystal Palace is another big question for the manager. With Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill excelling against City there isn’t the need to rush Silva back and it might actually be easier if he isn’t available.
The full backs and midfield pick themselves as do Cole Palmer , Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson but the last place in the attack is up for grabs with Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku all competing for it.
Pochettino has been really cautious with his use of Nkunku and has been building him up with minutes from the bench over the last few weeks and it would make sense for a player of his quality to start in a game of this magnitude given he can be a difference maker.
