[Albion] Your starting 11 for Chelsea (H) FA Cup - 08/02/25, 8pm KO

[The Fits]

—————-———Verbruggen————————
Veltman——-Van Hecke—Dunk——Hinshelwood
Minteh———Baleba——-Ayari————-Adingra
——————-———Rutter—————————-
—————————Welbeck—————————

This looks really solid to me but I seriously worry about Dunk being pulled all over the place playing one of the outside roles in a three. Which makes me sad. JPVH also seems much better suited to the central role these days.
I’d be intrigued by Veltman- JPVH- Cashin.
I’d make a strong argument JPVH has performed better as the chief CB this season (ie without Dunk).
Maybe meet somewhere in the middle….its a tricky one.

 

[Seaview Seagull]

Verbruggen

Veltman
JPVH
Webster
Lamptey

Baleba
Hinshlewood

Mitoma
Pedro
Welbeck
Rutter

If we play Lamptey he has to be wingback so play 3 CBs. Why drop Minteh who as far as I could see was alone with a decentish performance at NF. We have to hope either Balaba or Ayari are fit. If Estupinian is fit play him not Lamptey and JPVH and Webster at the back. If neither Balaba nor Ayari are fit then O'Riley has to start (assuming he's fit for at least for part of the game.)

 

[jackalbion]

Do you know what, start McGill, I think Bart needs a rocket up him.

 

[chaileyjem]

Do you know what, start McGill, I think Bart needs a rocket up him.

I'm perplexed . If we're not starting McGill what on earth has he been recalled for ? Is Steele now out for the rest of the season ? Do we need a third keeper over and above Cahill ?

 

[Insel affe]

Do you know what, start McGill, I think Bart needs a rocket up him.

Better still Jason Steele, distribution is key tomorrow

Scrub that he is on the doctors table.

 

[chickens]

Call me a pessimist, but I suspect we’re not going to have Baleba, Ayari or Wieffer fit enough to start.

I’m hoping Hinshelwood has been fit and training, and then it’s probably going to have to be Gomez playing deeper, as I think O’Riley may have a knock as well?

At full back, and in central midfield, we do seem cursed this season.

Verbruggen
Velts - JPvH - Cashin - March? (is he available)
Minteh - Hinshelwood- Gomez -Mitoma
Pedro
Welbeck

Would be my starting 11. Give Dunk a rest as he’s just coming back from injury. I’m really hoping we’re not playing Lamptey at LB again.

 

[jackalbion]

I'm perplexed . If we're not starting McGill what on earth has he been recalled for ? Is Steele now out for the rest of the season ? Do we need a third keeper over and above Cahill ?

Another decision I can't make heads or tails of.

 

[chickens]

I'm perplexed . If we're not starting McGill what on earth has he been recalled for ? Is Steele now out for the rest of the season ? Do we need a third keeper over and above Cahill ?

We needed a keeper who wasn’t cup-tied as cover (should Verbruggen get injured in a cup match) I suspect.

I thought we were expecting Steele to be out for the remainder, but now I’m not sure if I’ve imagined that.

 

[chaileyjem]

We needed a keeper who wasn’t cup-tied as cover (should Verbruggen get injured in a cup match) I suspect.

I thought we were expecting Steele to be out for the remainder, but now I’m not sure if I’ve imagined that.

Yep. it sort of makes sense especially if we have a bit of a run. But its pretty likely that McGill who was ever present for MK Dons won't be playing again this season. (or just a couple of times for the u21s) . Won't be difficult for McGill to adjust i guess. Still never actually played for us but joined in 2014 !!

 

[Bring back Bryan wade!!]

Call me a pessimist, but I suspect we’re not going to have Baleba, Ayari or Wieffer fit enough to start.

I’m hoping Hinshelwood has been fit and training, and then it’s probably going to have to be Gomez playing deeper, as I think O’Riley may have a knock as well?

At full back, and in central midfield, we do seem cursed this season.

Verbruggen
Velts - JPvH - Cashin - March? (is he available)
Minteh - Hinshelwood- Gomez -Mitoma
Pedro
Welbeck

Would be my starting 11. Give Dunk a rest as he’s just coming back from injury. I’m really hoping we’re not playing Lamptey at LB again.

Baleba has been training last few days so should be fit.

 

[chickens]

Baleba has been training last few days so should be fit.

Very good news. Baleba in to replace Gomez in my lineup then. Or if March isn’t available then Hinshelwood to LB and Baleba in midfield.

 

[GJN1]

In proper Albion mojo low mode so I don't think it matters. Were in for another humping.

That's the spirit!

 

[pigmanovich]

FWIW Chelsea are missing forward Marc Guiu, fellow forward Nicolas Jackson is a doubt, and defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are long term absentees. Midfielder (and sick note) Romeo Lavia is also unavailable.

 

[Blues Guitarist]

I’m really hoping we’re not playing Lamptey at LB again.

The problem at Forest wasn't that Lamptey played badly, but that he had to defend against two players much of the time and no-one helped him.

 

[7dialssouthpaw]

Gomez probably worth starting.
Dunk maybe rested - doesn't look 100% yet/behind Webbo for fitness.
Minteh on right, please (to pin back/track Cucu).
LB has to be Hinsh starting, then maybe adjust later.

 

[chickens]

The problem at Forest wasn't that Lamptey played badly, but that he had to defend against two players much of the time and no-one helped him.

Nobody had a good game at Forest, I agree it was a collective failure rather than an individual one.

Nevertheless, I honestly don’t want to see Lamptey on the pitch in a fullback role. He’s simply too easily bypassed.

If we didn’t have the world’s largest collection of right wingers, I’d want to keep him and play him there. As it is, I don’t want him at the back, and don’t see him getting minutes at the front.

 

[Weststander]

FWIW Chelsea are missing forward Marc Guiu, fellow forward Nicolas Jackson is a doubt, and defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are long term absentees. Midfielder (and sick note) Romeo Lavia is also unavailable.

Leaving just £1.25B of players to pick from.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Bart

Veltman
Van Hecke
Dunk
Cashin ( he can play left-back and as far as I can work out is the only fit one available)

Hinshelwood
Baleba

Minteh
Georginio (as the 10)
Mitoma

Welbeck

 

[Bring back Bryan wade!!]

Bart

Veltman
Van Hecke
Dunk
Cashin ( he can play left-back and as far as I can work out is the only fit one available)

Hinshelwood
Baleba

Minteh
Georginio (as the 10)
Mitoma

Welbeck

Does/can Cashin play LB?…

 

[jcdenton08]

Does/can Cashin play LB?…

He’s played there once ever in his professional career, so technically yes, and we’re in need, but I don’t think he would’ve been signed to play there predominantly. He’s a big centre half