Chelsea: Tuchel opens up on Kante's injury struggles
Chelsea travel to face Barnsley in their fifth-round FA Cup clash on Thursday as Thomas Tuchel makes his first foray into the competition. The manager has said he will rotate players after three successive Premier League wins in a four-match unbeaten run since he took charge. Here, Express Sport looks at the likely line-up for the trip to Oakwell.
Eduoard Mendy has established himself as Chelsea's No1 since signing from Rennes in the summer transfer window.
But Tuchel will give error-prone Kepa a chance to impress between the sticks against Barsnley.
Asked whether Kepa can revive his career in west London, Tuchel told reporters on Wednesday: "Absolutely. He will start tomorrow."
The manager added: "The good thing for him is that we start fresh, it's a new start for him. I don't have a history with him and I hope there will be no difficulties because I don't see them coming."
N'Golo Kante and Billy Gilmour could start together against Barnsley (Image: GETTY)
Defence - Zouma, Christensen, Rudiger
Tuchel will stick with the three-man defence which has served him so well in his four matches in charge so far.
Thiago Silva will miss the game as he continues to receover from a thigh injury, while Cesar Azpilicueta could be rested after being ever present since Tuchel took charge.
That would give Kurt Zouma his first chance to impress the new boss, with the 26-year-old having last played in the FA Cup win over Luton.
Zouma would play alongside Andreas Rudiger and Antonio Rudiger as they continue to revive their Chelsea careers.
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