Chelsea headed north yesterday afternoon to face Barnsley in the FA Cup 5th Round tonight.
There was first of all news that academy youngster Lewis Bate travelled with the first team squad, and more could also be on the bench after training with them yesterday.
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Lewis Bate has travelled with Chelsea's squad to Barnsley.
Read more on him here as we await a possible debut. #CFC https://t.co/TLJOV74kz0
Worth noting Tino Anjorin's efforts too after he has fought his way to be a permanent fixture of Tuchel's #CFC first-team squad so far.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 10, 2021
All smiles but no Kai Havertz in training again.
Lewis Bate, Livramento, Levi Colwill, and Anjorin all trained. pic.twitter.com/M3EKJYeVsf
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 10, 2021
Billy Gilmour is expected to start, and Kepa Arrizabalaga has been confirmed by Thomas Tuchel to be starting tonight. But no Kai Havertz in training again and it is puzzling as to why no reporters are asking why or reporting on it.
Thomas Tuchel insists Kepa Arrizabalaga isn't done at Chelsea and is offering him a clean slate.
– He starts tomorrow
– Gilmour expected to
– Werner rested after dead leg
– Bate to travel: https://t.co/hm6dINcx2f #CFC— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) February 10, 2021
However, there will be no Thiago Silva or Timo Werner featuring at all, both are still out injured, and Tuchel provided some further information on Werner’s injury in the non-live section of the press conference yesterday afternoon.
Thomas Tuchel on Timo Werner's dead leg:
"We didn't risk it today and we will not risk it tomorrow. We could have risked it but the decision stands. Hopefully, he will recover and be back on Monday [to face Newcastle]."
[via @NizaarKinsella]
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) February 10, 2021
N’Golo Kante starts, that was confirmed by Tuchel yesterday, and as above, that could be alongside Gilmour.
There was also big hints that Hakim Ziyech will start the game.
"N'Golo Kante fits in to any managers plans. He is one of the best midfielders in the world. I am very lucky he is back again. He will start against Barnsley."
– Thomas Tuchel
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 10, 2021
There will be a high possibility we see a lot of changes in the team selection tomorrow, confirms Tuchel.
Hakim Ziyech will be involved.
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 10, 2021
With the high possibility of a lot of changes, there will be other changes at the back and in attack for sure.