As Chelsea take a break from a disappointing league campaign that has seen Frank Lampard’s future in the mix, the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Luton Town will prove to be vital in one of the two competitions the Blues look likely to contend in.
The Chelsea team news is out, with Frank Lampard opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation, that could quite possibly turn into a 4-2-2-2. There are seven changes after the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City.
N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud sit out with a hamstring injury and foot injury respectively, although Giroud is included among the substitutes. Today’s starting eleven will closely resemble the one that took to the field in the third round, except Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi sit out – as do Rudiger and Azpilicueta.
Tammy Abraham, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, and Christian Pulisic all start as the front four, fed by Mason Mount, who captains Chelsea for the first time, and Billy Gilmour in midfield. The back four will consist of Emerson Palmieri and Reece James on either wings, supported by Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen as center backs.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will look to keep successive clean sheets in the FA Cup after the 4-0 win over Morecambe a fortnight ago.
Chelsea fans made their reactions known as the line-ups were released:
This is it!! 4-2-2-2!! Mount captain wow!!
— The Other Side Of The Coin (@TOSOTC_CFC) January 24, 2021
Could also be a 4-2-3-1 with one of Pulisic/Ziyech at 10 and the other taking the Right wing with Werner on the left.
— Nouman (@nomifooty) January 24, 2021
Mount captain, brilliant well deserved 🙌
— Gary⭐️ (@chelsea1012) January 24, 2021
A very strong side today. 4-2-3-1 with Werner given some freedom today? Very interested to see Mount as captain but it’s a real shame there’s no youngsters on the bench. Could have had Anjorin at least 😳
— Johnathan Mann (@MannHandledCFC) January 24, 2021
Mason Mount is Chelsea’s youngest captain since John Terry in 2002.
Both Chelsea through and through. pic.twitter.com/268FbfrcNb
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) January 24, 2021
Might be both this and the 4-2-2-2 depending on the phase of play/in or out of possession
— Ryan Venn-Dunn (@ryanvenndunn) January 24, 2021
Mason Mount captains Chelsea for the first time. We’ve seen his leadership shine through recently and it’s fully deserved. pic.twitter.com/Ho3ZJNFiNx
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) January 24, 2021
Say what you want but Mason Mount 100% deserves the captain armband. Potentially our POTS and was the only one who was striving to win the game vs leicester whilst all the other players let Frank down.
— Raf (@CFC_Raf) January 24, 2021
No Callum or Kai? Seriously??
— Callum🎲 (@ThePrimeCHO) January 24, 2021
Havertz shoulda started over abraham he still gives that presence that tammy has in the air maybe not as good as him heading but still. He can also be a target man or play as a 9 he also needs the confidence
— Arron Murray (@ArronMurray5) January 24, 2021
Don't tell me Werner on the wing 😭😭😭😭
— Wames 😹 (@James_CFC13) January 24, 2021
