Chelsea fans’ preferred lineup against Manchester United: Kovačić YES; Jorginho NO

Chelsea haven’t enjoyed games against Manchester United this season with three defeats in a row. Frank Lampard will be looking to set the record straight in the semifinal of the FA Cup and book another ticket for a Wembley final. Fatigue could be a major issue; will rotation be inevitable?

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Things remained the same as far as the formation’s concerned, with the majority of the WAGNH community seeing no need to resort to something different than the usual 4-3-3, be that a 3-4-3 (26%) or 4-2-3-1 (20%).

Same goes for goalkeeper, where Kepa Arrizabalaga continues to be the clear preference, even in a Cup match, over Willy Caballero (30%).

Ahead of him, both Andreas Christensen (43%) and Antonio Rüdiger have been shaky in recent weeks — I’d say the latter even more so. Nevertheless, he partners up with Kurt Zouma, just as on Tuesday, with César Azpilicueta and Reece James flanking, preferred ahead of Marcos Alonso (58%) and Emerson (11%).

With N’golo Kanté still out and Jorginho (44%) not excelling in the eyes of many, Mateo Kovačić comes in as the obvious choice at the base of midfield, collecting more votes than anybody else on the team, at any position. Just ahead of him, it’s the Mason Mount and Ross Barkley combo once again, well ahead of Ruben Loftus-Cheek (31%).

Olivier Giroud has been our main man up front since the restart and it seems difficult to imagine how Tammy Abraham (28%) could get the nod ahead of him right now. The same can be said for Christian Pulisic and Willian, though resting the latter might not be a bad idea. Callum Hudson-Odoi (31%) and Pedro (16%) aren’t really in the starting conversation at this point — and for the latter, maybe never again in a Chelsea shirt.

4-3-3 (50%):
Arrizabalaga (69%) | Azpilicueta (84%), Zouma (84%), Rüdiger (68%), James (64%) | Barkley (47%), Kovačić (86%), Mount (71%) | Pulisic (78%), Giroud (71%), Willian (65%)

PREFERRED LINEUP

Hudson-Odoi starts for me, as well as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christensen. It was hard to drop Pulisic, but I think it’s a good idea to have him come off the bench and be fresher ahead of two crucial games. I couldn’t bring myself to drop Giroud however as Tammy just seems too much off the pace at the moment.

4-3-3
Arrizabalaga | Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, James | Loftus-Cheek, Kovačić, Mount | Willian, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi

COME ON, YOU BLUES!