Christensen misses out due to back injury, Chalobah makes the squad instead

If there was one surprise about Chelsea’s squad for the FA Cup final, it was the inclusion of young Trevoh Chalobah and the resulting absence of Andreas Christensen from the 18. While Conte didn’t report any injuries apart from a knock to Emerson during his press conference, it appears that Christensen suffered a late back injury.

Gary Cahill, fresh from his inclusion in England’s World Cup squad, starts instead of Christensen who may well have been in consideration for a starting place in today’s final, having been named in the XI against both Newcastle and Huddersfield. Hopefully his injury is nothing too serious.

However, where one opportunity is lost, another is gained; Trevoh Chalobah is yet to make his senior debut for Chelsea. Although it’s not likely that he’ll do that today, to be in the thick of things on such an occasion will no doubt be a great experience for him.