Chelsea welcome Southampton back to Stamford Bridge this evening, just weeks after beating them 3-1 at the same venue in the Premier League.
This time though, they are fighting it out for a place in the next round of the EFL Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup.
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The Saints are the opposition once again, meaning Chelsea will have now faced two Premier League opponents in this competition, having knocked Aston Villa out on penalties in the last round.
This competition brings the opportunity to rest key players for both sides and give some youngsters and fringe players a chance to get some first team minutes, and if going by Tuchel’s last selection for the Villa game, we are likely to see his stars rested tonight.
He has even hinted of one fringe player in particular getting a start this evening against Southampton, and he is a player that badly needs minutes.
Saul Niguez will be hoping for another chance tonight after a nightmare start to his Chelsea career.
“These are the moments, in the Carabao Cup, to give some players some minutes,” Tuchel said on Monday as reported by The Guardian.
“Still, it needs to make sense and we need to be fair to the players in his [Saul Niguez] position.
“Do we have his position available? That position where he can show his potential and then get better and better. Let’s see.”
