This is a Chelsea Women predicted lineup for their return to action following the international break. The Blues return for a Semi-Final clash with Mark Skinner’s side coming off of a disappointing defeat to Arsenal Women in the final of the Continental Cup.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Manchester United in FA Cup Action
How Chelsea Women Have Lined Up Recently
Hannah Hampton is the number one option in goals with Zećira Mušović playing as the rotational choice. Niamh Charles, Jess Carter, Kadeisha Buchanan, Ève Périsset, and Ashley Lawrence have been the main back four with injuries limiting options in the centre.
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The duo in midfield has changed a bit through formation switches and rotation with Melanie Leupolz and Erin Cuthbert being the first-choice defensive midfield pairing. We have also seen Jelena Čanković come in as well as Sophie Ingle and Fran Kirby to play in a midfield three.
The attacking lineup has shifted a lot with different formations with Guro Reiten, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Lauren James, Mayra Ramirez, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Sjoeke Nüsken playing in some form of an attacking four, trio, or front two.
Chelsea Women Recent Form and Tactics
Emma Hayes has rotate between a standard 4-2-3-1 formation, a 4-4-2, and a 4-3-3 based on opposition and availability in recent weeks. For a while the lack of a fit striker caused a front two to featured James as the false nine, while Kirby played that role in a 4-3-3 with wingers providing runs in behind for her to pick out.
This flexibility helped the team achieve an almost perfect March where they were competing on all fronts.
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A defeat to Arsenal ended a solid undefeated streak and saw Hayes’ side kept scoreless for the first time since a WSL clash with Manchester City in February. Defensively, they have no gone two consecutive matches without a clean sheet but their defense has been pretty strong recently.
Chelsea Injuries to Consider
Manager Hayes was asked about some team news and replied that they have a “full quota” of players available. She singled out Millie Bright as someone who hasn’t played in a while so she likely won’t be rushed back but this would leave Sam Kerr, Mia Fishel, and Aniek Nouwen as the only absentees as all three have torn ACLs.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup
GK – Hannah Hampton
LB – Niamh Charles
CB – Jess Carter
CB – Nathalie Björn
RB – Ève Périsset
CM – Melanie Leupolz
CM – Erin Cutbhert
LM – Guro Reiten
RM – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
ST – Lauren James
ST – Mayra Ramirez
