World news – Chelsea v Sheffield United: FA Cup quarterfinals – live!

Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:53 PM GMT

First published on March 21, 2021 at 12:34 PM GMT

12:53 p.m. GMT12: 53

In total, Thomas Tuchel has nine new faces in his starting line-up. Kurt Zouma and Mateo Kovacic are the two to keep their place after Wednesday’s win. The Croatian starts in blue for the 100th time. Kepa is in goal and Emerson is expected to be part of the final three as he did in the preliminary round at Barnsley. Andreas Christensen returns from illness and Captain Mason Mount from his suspension. Olivier Giroud is leading the line and there’s a midfield spot for Billy Gilmour. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell are the full-backs.

It could be interesting / funny to know how they released the wrong team – does anyone know what happened? Let me know by email or tweet me. Thank you.

12.46 p.m. GMT12: 46

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you know what? I think this could be the wrong Chelsea team that was sacked by the club. There is some confusion. I’m checking …

12.41 p.m. GMT12: 41

Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rüdiger, Chilwell, Kante, Jorginho, Pulisic, Ziyech, Mount, Havertz. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Werner, Zouma, Kovacic, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, James, Emerson Palmieri.

Sheff Utd: Ramsdale, Baldock, Jagielka, Stevens, Osborn, Bogle, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, McGoldrick, McBurnie. Subs: Mousset, Lowe, Burke, Foderingham, Brewster, Bryan, Brunt, Gordon, Ndiaye.

Our lineup. ð ?????? Paul Heckingbottom made five changes to his side ahead of the FA Cup quarter-finals against Chelsea. # CHESHU pic.twitter.com/vKMhFHin6O

12:34 p.m. GMT12: 34

Thomas Tuchel does an excellent job at Chelsea. Since his successor Frank Lampard, his team has been unbeaten in 13 games, including nine wins. They’ve only conceded two goals, advanced to the last eight Champions League goals and rejoined the race to qualify for next season’s competition. The last time they admitted was over a month ago. When there is an argument it is an inability to turn possession into goals, but that should improve as Tuchel’s system becomes more embedded. « We will never stop thinking about how we can create opportunities, find offensive solutions, where we can create spaces and accelerate our attacks, » said Tuchel on Friday.

And quite apart from the results, it is obvious that Tuchel is a young one A coach who has the gift of relating to his players, building positive relationships and promoting a strong team spirit. It is not for the good of the cameras that he hugs his players with such affection after a good result. Experts exchanged worried looks when Tuchel picked up substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi in the second half against Southampton last month. The fear was that Chelsea’s infamous player power could soon result in Tuchel being hung, pulled and quartered. But maybe players like Hudson-Odoi lack the arrogance and ego of certain previous Stamford Bridge actors? The decision was explained by Tuchel, accepted by Hudson-Odoi, and they moved on.

Who can stop Chelsea? Will it be Sheffield United in today’s FA Cup quarter-finals? It looks unlikely? Chris Wilder is gone but there was no positive reaction to Leicester City’s 5-0 win last weekend. The blades remain hampered by injuries and Premier League relegation is a certainty. Booking an FA Cup semi-final at Chelsea’s expense would be a tonic, but the form guide mostly points to Chelsea’s progress. Team news and readings before the game are pending.