Guess that’s why they call it the Blues.
There’s trouble at t’Chelsea mill, as Jacob Steinberg has been reporting.
Another Irishman, Callum Robinson, leads the Cardiff line, as top scorer Yousef Salech is on the bench. Omari Kellyman is ineligible as he is on loan from Chelsea among five changes by BBM as he is doubtless known by nobody.
Great Ben Fisher interview with Brian Barry-Murphy, the Cardiff manager. Ben’s interviews are always good. Irish readers will know Barry-Murphy is the son of the great GAA player and Corkman, Jimmy Barry-Murphy,
That’s 11 (eleven) changes from Enzo Maresca’s team from the defeat of Everton. Moises Caicedo leads the team as captain.
The teams – a youthful Chelsea
Cardiff: Trott, Ng, Lawlor, Chambers, Bagan, Wintle, Turnbull, Joel Colwill, Isaak Davies, Ashford, Robinson. Subs: Turner, Giles, Fish, Mafico, Robertson, Donczew, Nyakuhwa, Willock, Salech.
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Hato, Caicedo, Santos, George, Buonanotte, Bynoe-Gittens, Guiu. Subs: Sanchez, Chalobah, Fofana, Gusto, James, Fernandez, Garnacho, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro.
Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)
Preamble
The cup of dreams fizzes over with Big Blues and their visit to the Bluebirds. Chelsea are an unsteady ship, judging by some of the noises coming from their manager, though explanations for Enzo Maresca’s Saturday huff comes there none. Cardiff are blazing a trail in League One, spirits revived by a squad of homespun talent. Chelsea have a mix of homespun and bought in, mostly the latter. They also have a gargantuan squad, with an infinite number of wingers. What awaits us in the Principality? The answer is a semi-final place.
Kick-off at 8pm. Join me.