How Chelsea should line up to beat Manchester United
It has been an underwhelming season for Chelsea, but The Blues have a chance to finish it off on a high. They take on Manchester United in the final of the FA Cup today – the only piece of silverware both teams have a chance of winning this season.
Chelsea have one fresh injury concern going into the game and that is Emerson Palmieri. The left-back has picked up an injury and has been ruled out of the FA Cup final.
Along with Emerson, Danny Drinkwater, David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu will also be missing the game vs Manchester United.
Pre-match press conference:
The final press conference of the season started off in the same way as every other this season. "We must be focused on tomorrow and for us it is very important and we want to finish with a trophy and it is important for the coach, players, fans and the club. We are focused on this target. We need to be focused because we have an important game to play, a really important competition. The oldest in the world. My players will be focused on the game for sure. My expectation is this," said the manager.
Speaking about his future at the club and the season, Conte said, “My commitment has always been the same. Maybe this season we worked harder than last season. I don't know if something has changed... last season we were heroes for Chelsea's fans. Now our stance, me and the players, has changed.”
“I don't know [what went wrong]. But in my soul and my heart, I'm always a hero because I gave 120 percent, also this season to solve the problems. In every season you must divide the responsibility, positive or negative, with three parts: club, manager and players. Last season we were heroes. This season we are... I don't know what we are to people, but I don't care. It doesn't matter,” added the manager.
How Chelsea should line up:
Antonio Conte should go with a 3-5-2 formation today as that has brought the best out of the side recently. The line-up should be:
Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rüdiger; Victor Moses, N'Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Marcos Alonso; Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud.
Willian and Morata would be the ideal substitutes in the 2nd half depending on the match situation. If they are trailing, switching to 3-4-3 would be the best. If they are winning, bringing on Pedro instead of Willian would be ideal.