Having secured Champions League football next season with victory over Watford, Chelsea must now see out a tumultuous season in style as they travel to Leicester for the final game of the season.
With injuries mounting up ahead of the Europa League final, Maurizio Sarri will probably adopt a damage limitation policy in his pursuit of a first trophy in his managerial career, opting to select squad players in place of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen who both struggled with injury in the latter stages of the Blues’ penalty shoot-out victory over Frankfurt.
Leicester will be looking to continue their impressive run of form under new manager Brendan Rodgers, with Vincent Kompany’s 30-yard wonder strike the only thing separating the Foxes and Pep Guardiola’s ruthlessly efficient oil-powered juggernaut. Leicester possesses potentially one of the most exciting midfields in Europe, with Wilfred N’Didi’s tenacious battling supplemented with the ghosting runs of Youri Tielemans and the technical proficiency of James Madison.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
The hero of the shootout Kepa will be looking to build on such an impressive showing ahead of the final. The Spaniard has had a solid first season at Chelsea.
Davide Zappacosta
Came on to good effect against Frankfurt and will likely be rewarded for his performance with a rare start, as Cesar Azpilicueta is pushed in to cover for Christensen.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Looked uncomfortable when reverted in to a more central role, treading carefully in order to avoid a sending off, but could be put out on the final day for a run out there.
Gary Cahill
May well be offered a final chance to pull on the Chelsea shirt, with qualification already assured Cahill could be risked despite an alarming lack of game time. He deserves his moment for his service to the club.
Marcos Alonso
Sarri could look to hand Alonso the opportunity to cause a selection head ache ahead of the final. Emerson appears to be in line to start in Baku as it stands.
Ross Barkley
Provided a much needed goal threat in Loftus-Cheek’s absence, and with Mateo Kovacic continuing to disappoint Barkley can prove his quality under little pressure or expectation.
Mateo Kovacic
Has been at his best when deployed in a deeper role, Kovacic will need to be aware of and block out the passing lines that Madisson typically looks to utilise.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Despite his own injury issues, Loftus-Cheek is likely to be drafted in again as N’Golo Kante continues to struggle with a hamstring complaint. The English midfielder has been very impressive of late.
Willian
May well be among the plethora of long standing Chelsea players who could leave the club this summer. His performance against Frankfurt was underwhelming to say the least and he’ll be desperate to endear himself once more to the fans he has frustrated and inspired in equal measure over the years.
Gonzalo Higuain
Still even at this stage in the season looks out of shape and disinterested. If he is intent on sticking it out at the club his work ethic will need to improve, combining his sharp shooting with the incisive movement he has lacked all too often.
Pedro
Pedro’s uninspiring performance on Thursday is by no means worthy of a start, but Sarri needs to protect his star asset Hazard from on pitch and off pitch pursuit, and he will therefore likely be rested.