CHELSEA could field the kids for their FA Cup third-round clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Blues No2 Jody Morris led the pre-match press conference after Frank Lampard was missing through illness and revealed a host of youngsters could be given a chance.
How Chelsea could line up with the kids for the FA Cup clash with Forest
Billy Gilmour would have been a certainty to start but missed Friday’s training session with a bug of his own.
Meanwhile, Fikayo Tomori looks set to start – with the likes of Marc Guehi in the running.
But Morris revealed they will be taking the FA Cup seriously, despite facing a battle to land a top-four spot this season.
Morris said: “Within our dressing room there’s enough people who value the FA Cup.
“It’s a competition well known across the world. Emphasis won’t be diluted in our dressing room.
“It’s a prestigious competition… a balancing act with so many games but the manager will pick a team that can win the game.”
When pushed as to whether key players would be rested, Morris continued: “We’ll see how the lads are feeling.
“There’ll be a few changes from Brighton. How many? I’m not too sure yet.”
CAN WIN WITH KIDS
Lampard may opt to field a slightly more senior team to ensure success
And Morris was full of praise for his youngsters, adding: “Billy (Gilmour) and Marc (Guehi) are doing really well, around the squad a lot and training at a high level.
“Billy was off ill today but he’d have trained with us today otherwise. The mentality, they are ready to go when called upon too – like Lamptey at Arsenal.”
The likes of Tammy Abraham and Kepa Arrizabalaga are set to be left to relax, along with Cesar Azpilicueta.
Marcos Alonso is ruled out through injury, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek still a long-term casualty.
That means Willy Caballero could get the nod between the sticks, with a potential back-four of Tariq Lamptey, Guehi, Tomori and under-pressure Emerson – who could be given a chance to get over his dreadful form against Forest.
Antonio Rudiger could be called upon should Lampard name a stronger XI.
Ross Barkley and Jorginho could add some experience to the midfield, with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic given a breather – and Gilmour possibly missing out through sickness.
Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi could join Mason Mount in the attacking midfield slots.
And one of Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud will start the game in place of the rested Abraham.
Should Lampard want a little more punch in attack, it’s likely Willian and Christian Pulisic start on the wings.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
