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Tottenham v Chelsea: 5 reasons to back Spurs to win FA Cup glory

By Rucker Haringey

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 666204736 and 607529584) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea meet in one of the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals on April 22, 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED - COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 666204736 and 607529584) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea meet in one of the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals on April 22, 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea at Vitality Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United in action with Gary Cahill of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United in action with Gary Cahill of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on April 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /

3. Health

Chelsea enter this match concerned about the health of quite a few key players. At the very least, Conte will be without Gary Cahill who was treated for gastroenteritis at the hospital this week. It’s possible the Blues could lose more players due to the illness going around Stamford Bridge.

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While I don’t believe this illness is a result of anything nefarious (as some Chelsea fans on social media seem to believe), it will certainly impact the match. Firstly, Cahill’s absence will send Kurt Zouma into Conte’s starting XI. He’s certainly a talented defender, but there’s a reason he isn’t a regular member of the club’s starting lineup.

Perhaps even more concerning, is the possibility that other Chelsea squad members will attempt to play through illness. On one hand, that’s an admirable thing for a player to attempt. On the other, it’s a selfish decision that could harm Chelsea’s chances of winning the FA Cup.

I don’t believe this match is going to be won or lost based on these mysterious Chelsea injuries, but they will be a factor. Conte and the Blues’ medical staff will need to work hard to minimize the effect of sickness on the match.

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