Chelsea FC head to the Riverside Stadium, to take on giant-killers Middlesbrough in FA Cup elite 8 action, with hopes of reaching the Final Four (sorry, we’re speaking only in March Madness mode) we’re likely to see Thomas Tuchel do a bit of squad rotation. Coming off a Champions League win in Northern France on Wednesday night, the Blues have had a bit of fixture congestion, and now is the time for guys like Kepa Arrizabalaga, Malang Sarr and Romelu Lukaku to get a first team assignment.
Yes, we’re talking about the big Belgian, the club’s all-time most expensive player, in these terms right now. He hasn’t had a first team assignment game since the infamous Crystal Palace match on February 19, when he had just seven touches. We’re thinking he’s a lock to start here, ditto for César Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Chelsea at Middlesbrough FA Cup Quarterfinal FYIs
Kick: Sat March 19, Riverside Stadium. 5:15pm
Chelsea Team News: go here
After Extra Time Podcast: Spotify
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction at Middlesbrough (FA Cup)
Fearless Prediction
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.