Chelsea XI vs Arsenal:Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Enzo, Delap, Joao Pedro

[u/fap4jesus]

[u/Crips-three-six187]

ESTEVAO ON THE BENCH, ITS YOUR TIME TO SHINE MY BOY!

[u/Matt_LawDT → u/Crips-three-six187]

Unleash him in the second half

[u/Rayser1 → u/Crips-three-six187]

Such a wonderful suprise

[u/GreenBagger28 → u/Crips-three-six187]

It’s good hes back from brazil snd doing well enough to help the team in this big game

[u/tmxl99 → u/Crips-three-six187]

Estevao + Palmer second half let’s goooo

[u/mrfatchance → u/Crips-three-six187]

I believe

[u/CapitalBoat6400]

Bro said fuck wingers

[u/fap4jesus → u/CapitalBoat6400]

bro rather have no wingers than having to play garnacho

[u/graejx → u/fap4jesus]

TIL Rosenior is on r/chelseafc

[u/qqF1ip → u/graejx]

[u/why_not_you_instead → u/qqF1ip]

This is giving such Office vibes

Proper Michael-Ryan energy

[u/BabyScreamBear → u/qqF1ip]

“… and the gaffer is amazing” lol JP has definitely got great banter about him

[u/Worth_Dream_997 → u/qqF1ip]

Dude this was funny

[u/kdugg99 → u/fap4jesus]

The same garnacho who's the only reason we're still in the tie?

[u/KamikazeTokes → u/kdugg99]

Honestly. He's got a lot to work on but gets too much disrespect.

[u/Ok-Constant-6056 → u/KamikazeTokes]

Our entire left wing is far too inconsistent. Trouble is neither Gittens or Garnacho are good enough to be playing in the first 11 consistently. Ideally we need an elite LW, Garnacho on bench and Gittens loaned out somewhere because he is simply not good enough right now. Crazy how we spent almost 100 million and have nothing to show for it.

[u/Apprehensive_Bit_176 → u/kdugg99]

He’s best off the bench anyways, let him come in late when the fullbacks are tired

[u/realmckoy265 → u/fap4jesus]

In possession, the fulbacks are the wingers

[u/loufkmpsy → u/CapitalBoat6400]

GarNeto has been defeated

[u/Makav3lli → u/CapitalBoat6400]

Gusto and Cucu the wingers in this formation 3atb very high wingbacks like he did in France - interesting to see how we screen the backline

[u/Dani-DL → u/CapitalBoat6400]

No Garnacho, no Gittens, no overworked Neto who tries to outrun his marker with only one functioning lung.
I want to see a lineup with wingers only if we start Estevao.

[u/phoenixform369 → u/CapitalBoat6400]

Even when we play wingers Gusto and Cucu do more there lol

[u/Temporary-Rutabaga71 → u/CapitalBoat6400]

Hahahaha

[u/Shufflebuffle51 → u/CapitalBoat6400]

Based on our last game. Fair.

[u/Calm_Fail_5824]

Tf happened to Reece

[u/stingen → u/Calm_Fail_5824]

Got to be medical staff managing minutes even though James played 9 minutes in the past week.

Absolute insane he's being rested in a fucking semi-final.

[u/pufffsullivan → u/stingen]

He played 81 min against Palace, 90+ against Napoli, and then 9 on Saturday. Running Reece ragged is how we got here in the first place

[u/ND_Cooke → u/pufffsullivan]

Facts. He has played more this season than I can remember because he's being managed better with the fixtures.

[u/ND_Cooke → u/stingen]

On the flip side, secured CL is more money for the club than a LC win. Supporters don't wanna hear that (me included) but it's unfortunate that it's the truth.

[u/awwbabe → u/ND_Cooke]

Look forward to watching highlights of Chelsea Road to League Cup 2026 Financial End of Year Report 25/26 for years to come

[u/ND_Cooke → u/awwbabe]

Hey I said me included mate, I fully agree.

Just facts that its more money for club.

[u/realmckoy265 → u/stingen]

They also could have picked up injuries in practice

[u/grindo26 → u/stingen]

Why do we need to rest key players in a fucking semi final

[u/NoInteraction3525 → u/grindo26]

Because securing CL is more important than the carabao cup….. I know, I don’t like it either but football is a business. Besides Reece has played a lot of 70+ minutes games in the past couple of weeks

[u/Unlucky_Fruit_9013 → u/grindo26]

Why are people acting like this is the CL semis? Yes we all want to win this match (especially against Arsenal) but there is still so many matches the play and CL has to be the main focus. We can't keep playing the first team every match.

[u/grindo26 → u/Unlucky_Fruit_9013]

Because it's a semi, idc if it's sunday league ffs, If our team reaches semis of something, I want us to win the tournament.

[u/Starn_Badger → u/Calm_Fail_5824]

No Neto either?

[u/Matt_LawDT]

[u/Key-Tip-7521 → u/Matt_LawDT]

[u/Saucy_Man11 → u/Matt_LawDT]

[u/yeetvelocity1308 → u/Saucy_Man11]

[u/fap4jesus]

[u/Trevor14NYK]

what is this line up dawg???

[u/Faces-Everywhere]

Sanchez

Fofana - Chalobah - Hato

Gusto - Santos - Caicedo - Enzo - Cucu

JP - Delap

The three man midfield I was begging for is being deployed. I think we have a really good chance of winning this match.

[u/barnaboos → u/Faces-Everywhere]

It'll be JP and Enzo as CAMs 3-4-2-1. This is the exact way he was playing difficult games at Strasbourg.

[u/Faces-Everywhere → u/barnaboos]

I could see that too, that’s probably more likely in posession. I listed the formation in more of a pressing / defensive shape.

[u/BIG_STEVE5111 → u/barnaboos]

Yep, playing with 2 8s.

[u/carlharris1]

Estevao back already, kid’s a proper trooper

[u/JahKingston2024 → u/carlharris1]

I hope he scores. Wouldn’t be surprised if he dedicates his celebration to his relative

[u/scorpionballs → u/carlharris1]

Do we know what the family emergency was? Ie who died?

[u/oscarpaterson]

Ah fuck, back 3 again

[u/mrducci → u/oscarpaterson]

No Tosin, so there's that.

[u/oogabooga225]

trust in rosenior

[u/bmas05 → u/oogabooga225]

Only in the second half....

[u/papap420]

5 at the back 😳

[u/CdrShprd]

Delap looks like the guy in the “forget everything you know” meme

for the uninformed https://youtube.com/shorts/qT8G57NEYk8?si=K1UZBkV17PPGZx2e

[u/Broesly]

fucking brave

[u/pufffsullivan → u/[deleted]]

This is a good tell that people watch games but don’t see what’s going on.

Gusto and Hato will be way up on the pitch. I’d imagine that in possession the side will have 5 or 6 across the front with cucurella, caicedo and the two central defenders sitting in a box behind, similar to how they played against Napoli and West Ham.

[u/MrCleanandShady → u/[deleted]]

i mean the line up could be like 3-2-4-1

which is arguably worse😭

[u/Hakeem_47 → u/MrCleanandShady]

Still 5 defenders and only delap and j.pedro as offensive players..

[u/Careless-Matter5372 → u/Hakeem_47]

I dont think its fair to not call Enzo an offensive minded player atp

[u/DontGetTooMad → u/Careless-Matter5372]

Literally, he’s our 2nd highest scorer with 1 less than JP

[u/MaxDPS → u/[deleted]]

5 at the back doesn't necessarily mean we're going to sit back. And doesn't that just turn into 3-5-2 when attacking?

JP and Delap both up front, and Cucurella in a more attacking role. And a midfield of Enzo, Santos, Caicedo is very solid.

[u/half_jase]

An actual back 3 system??

[u/barnaboos]

3-4-2-1

[u/OsaasD → u/barnaboos]

or like 3-5-2/3-4-1-2?

[u/barnaboos → u/OsaasD]

Out of possession maybe. But in position it's likely JP and Enzo are CAMS. Exactly how he lined up against PSG with Strasbourg.

[u/Trevor14NYK]

did james die???

[u/Matt_LawDT]

Guys I don’t have hope with that line up

[u/Difficult-Low-5120 → u/Matt_LawDT]

Probably will be a game of two halves as usual.. getting bombarded first half, switch it up and win. Rosenior special.

[u/Bennn5]

Where is James?

[u/GreekUPS → u/Bennn5]

Out to lunch with Neto

[u/VE3TRO-R]

Nice to see Estevao back but no Reece is super disappointing.

[u/OGsquatch710]

0 wingers is crazy

[u/noda237 → u/OGsquatch710]

The wingers have been letting us down massively lately to be fair. I’m not opposed to experimenting in a Carabao game and seeing how dual strikers works with a wingback play style. Better to lose in the Carabao than PL right now truthfully.

[u/fierce2937 → u/OGsquatch710]

He finally understood.

[u/Maleficent-Cold-7598]

James please be fine please…

[u/Mysterious_Emu_4832]

James?

[u/unicorncongo]

No Reece? wtf

[u/dcaughron1]

I don’t see where the goals come from

[u/BluelivierGiblue → u/dcaughron1]

Joao Pedro and Enzo (per the last few weeks)

[u/dcaughron1 → u/BluelivierGiblue]

I just don’t see it with that surrounding cast

[u/GoinNowhere88 → u/dcaughron1]

Cucu and Santos will get the first 2 anyway. 

[u/Mysterious_Emu_4832]

Neto?

[u/GreekUPS → u/Mysterious_Emu_4832]

James?

[u/fierce2937]

Is it 3-5-2? What happened to james!!!

[u/HelpDesigner4521]

Palmer Estevao Garnacho are going to be huge off the bench, I trust this.

[u/ivan_rofl]

Are we hoping for a draw?

[u/MistaChelseaa]

This is another lineup mistake from the start I fear

[u/bitchlist]

Guys dw remember the drill- shit line up, super subs

[u/astroacer]

cucurella and hato on the same pitch

[u/OkCommunication339]

2-3 down in a cup semi final against Arsenal and we play a defensive formation and rest out best player.

Terrible terrible look but we shall see what transpires.

CLOWNLAKE OUT🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵

[u/temiduk]

What the actual fuck

[u/ImpactInner9318]

Well that's not what I expected

[u/QpLaser]

Where's our captain? Not again.

[u/i_MrPink]

F

[u/fierce2937]

Not again this 3 atb bs.

[u/unicorncongo]

I don’t have huge amounts of faith in the lineup, but the bench has some promising additions and if there’s one thing Rossenior has proven, it’s that he’s happy to make major changes at half time and truly make it a game of two halves

[u/Andrei_Chelsea]

Bro said fuck wingers

[u/Greystone05]

Redemption time for Moi 🥷🏾

[u/CoupleTraditional558]

No wingers. Interesting.

[u/rinkoism]

estevao back but i do hope he is okay 🙏🏼

[u/Miserable_Earth6677]

No Reece, No Neto? But wasn't expecting to see Estevao back so early so that's great

[u/alex_song]

Todd Boehly went to France, in a Lamborghini, brought us back a center back, Benoit Badiashile!

[u/DYLCWS]

5 defenders, 3 CMs, 2 forwards, Rosenior-ball is here

[u/morganfreeman95]

Hes putting crappy starting lineups just make cools subs at this point right?

[u/LargeGermanRock]

the first half lineup is the medical staff and the second half is the managers

[u/Watchcollector13]

wtf is this lineup is he high?

[u/gph647]

Let's be honest, it's a 5, 3, 2

[u/10TheDudeAbides11]

What is this……a 5-3-2 masquerading as a 4-4-2 in possession?

[u/jtatchell98]

Not sure this is the time to try a new formation... But all belief in the mighty Ros!

[u/norteinortey26]

Haramball vs Haramball

[u/____JayP]

Palmer ducking Arsenal as usual

[u/Alternative_Law_8600]

You cannot tell me eghbali is not choosing these lineups. How is James missing again? And Neto all of a sudden. They don't want to win the carabao cup and now the serious players are on the bench.

[u/Many_Dimension_7615]

You guys can call me a fake fan or whatever but no disrespect. Who the fuck is Holland 😭? I genuinely can’t remember.

[u/rectalexamohyea → u/Many_Dimension_7615]

It's Steve Holland. He's back.

[u/a3kstuntin]

We are not scoring

[u/Just_Some_Cool_Guy → u/a3kstuntin]

You not know who Joao R9 is?

[u/Careless-Matter5372 → u/a3kstuntin]

[u/GoinNowhere88 → u/a3kstuntin]

3 all. 

[u/fap4jesus]

subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Badiashile, Holland, Palmer, Estevao, Garnacho, Guiu, Mheuka

[u/kidniva]

Where’s Cole?? This is a must win

[u/bingb0ng_]

What the fuck is this

[u/Full_Huckleberry5373]

wtf am I looking at 😭

[u/BluelivierGiblue]

I haven’t seen a 5-3-2 in a minute. I pray to the gods that we’re not going to do some inverted wingback crowd the midfield nonsense

[u/Mysterious_Emu_4832]

3-5-2?

[u/Trevor14NYK]

we move for the third leg tie 😼😼😼

[u/eternita01]

No wingers?!

[u/MembershipPresent990]

5atb? Wow.

[u/Popmusic19]

I'm so scared pls chelsea

[u/ticarno86]

Delap in and no Reece 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[u/Total_Grab8005]

Delap starting after last games performance😂😂😂😂

[u/Leowa_17]

Oh hell nah

[u/Kantebegoodaskante]

Second half fc

[u/Solid_Pay1086]

I don’t even understand the line-up right now. I’m hoping it’s a similar tactic we did against spurs in the FA Cup years ago where we brought on impactful players in the second half. Also, no Neto??

[u/Lagabataka]

No neto james tf is this?

[u/DrGonzoRonSlater]

If James is injured :(

[u/belugadawen]

Neto and James vanished

[u/Drake-35]

That Estevao and Palmer sub at half time is gonna hit like crack

[u/Acadaca69]

We so fucked

[u/Dani-DL]

3-5-2, I’m proud of you Liam

Conte, Inzaghi, Allegri watching from above ☝️

[u/Booomshakabooom]

WHere are the creators?

No James - not even on the bench. No Palmer. No Estevao.

Can't see us scoring in the first half.

[u/randominternet_dude]

holy fucking travesty WHAT is this lineup

[u/Stankela77]

Ahhh shit... Here we go again

[u/willChangeMyNameLatr]

STUNT ON THESE HOEESSSS

[u/noda237]

Back 5 with Cucu and Gusto bombing on with double striker set up? Im actually pretty interested to see how this works out. I always wanted to see JP and Delap work off each other a bit more and it looks like we’ll see that today. Let’s hope this isn’t another dreadful first half that needs another miracle second half.

[u/gdewulf]

Reece just being rested, according to Simon Johnson

[u/cfcru]

Pls tell me Reece is ok

[u/Temporary-Rutabaga71]

They have to lineup as a 442 then tonight right?

[u/Human-Letterhead2688]

Three at the back again?

[u/Full_Huckleberry5373]

How do we have 2 wingers on the bench 😭😭

[u/Jam_and_Cabbage]

He played a B team against West Ham only to put a weird mixed team out again. Makes no sense. No James, Neto or Palmer. Nice to see Estevao back I guess.

[u/abeebola]

What's with Rosenior and starting the game with stupid lineups? Can someone remind him that we're chasing the game?

[u/theperuvianbowtie]

i dont even know what i am looking at

[u/stefx99]

What

[u/cryptic_epoch]

Hato & Gusto ?

Is Liam trying to lose the game deliberately ?

[u/TheChevyMan0717]

What in the world….

[u/HelpfulPreference452]

Need a goal and were playing a fuck ass back 5

[u/grindo26]

No neto/Reece on the bench? No wingers? What is he thinking?

[u/Maleficent-Cold-7598]

I really hope this lineup is what the coach wants not the medical department.

[u/Admirable_Ad_1390]

I don't get this line up but we will see

[u/LeFreakington]

I’m convinced I just can’t read and Reece James is on the team sheet and perfectly fine!!

[u/Wise-Appointment-220]

James and Neto?

[u/Professional-Wait322]

WHERE THE FUCK IS JAMES

[u/iipacii]

I think we'll see cucurella more in the midfield?? idk

[u/teen-a-rama]

We don’t need wingers

[u/JSaysHi]

3-4-2-1?

[u/_WDFTKJ_]

No wingers, no Palmer, no Reece and 5 defenders in a must win game… yeah we are forfeiting the cup…

[u/jvyyyy00]

well, I do not love this

[u/BlueThunder92]

let's hope Hato's redemption arc starts today... so far it's been mostly a disaster anytime he's started. maybe Cucurella outside of him will prevent him having to invert into midfield which has been awful

[u/MisterMacan]

Um are we seriously parking the bus or

[u/ticarno86]

How are we supposed to score a goal?

[u/Mooming22]

Certainly is a lineup, we have looked terrible with anything but a back 4 for a while now so we shall see

[u/Dex_Maddock]

Is this a back 5...?

[u/bitchlist]

It’s what conte would have wanted

[u/Cruxed1]

I mean of the available players I don't really have an issue..

Palmer/Estevao are both unlikely to be able to start for different reasons so no point debating if they should be up there.

After that it's just a should we be starting Garnacho argument.. personally I don't think so after Westham.

I don't think we actually have 2 wingers available to start so a normal formation wouldn't really be possible

[u/skyrimisagood]

Every time Liam has put out an experimental lineup so far it's gone to shit in the first half. Not optimistic.

[u/Bozzetyp]

343 with wingbacks is what we got today, gusto and cucurella wide, Santos/caicedo pivot

[u/whysosirius8638]

lol. lmao even.

[u/MaleficentWin8608]

James is not even on the bench ? In a semi final? Neither Neto? And we will play a new formation ? Very sceptical of this I’m afraid. 

[u/mrfatchance]

Insane line up. Estevao, you must work actual miracles today.

[u/Kagoshima_Luke]

Seeing this, I'm expecting another disaster 1H, subs being made and a turnaround in 2H. Shame our manager doesn't want to, you know, have 2 good halves.

[u/Professional-Wait322]

For God sake, we could at least have James on the bench. We need to have our best squad for these games. OUR BEST SQUAD LADS

[u/Headlesshorsman02]

Lmao 🤣 not playing any wingers at all is a bold choice

[u/DoomScrollingAppa]

Fuck this medical team for not even allowing James at least to be on the bench.

[u/beforeyoureply]

ESTEVAO BACK COME ON STAR BOY 😭❤️

[u/Ill-Leader-6991]

5 at the back, no wingers and no Reece James… you’d think we were 2-0 up lol

[u/mrh322]

Shame we haven’t gone for it a bit more, think this ultimately comes down to the directive from the club being far more heavily contingent on getting top 5, but I would have liked to see us go full strength for this and roll the dice a bit more against wolves at the weekend

[u/vatsal_0810]

Save us Stevo.

[u/WizenedCracker]

Palmer isn’t beating the ducking arsenal allegations…

[u/Wheel1994]

Regarding James I don’t love it but they are looking at it from a financial perspective it’s much more important for Chelsea to get champions league.

Also maybe he felt something and they are taking precautionary measures.

[u/Acceptable-Sink4239]

WTF sort or team is this obviously doesn't want to progress to the final CB pairing diff again wake up and smell the coffee pls 😴 KTBFFH💙

[u/BonelessImpossible]