Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has named a strong team for their Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash against Championship side Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge. The Blues aim to reach the final for the first time since 2021, while Boro haven't made the final in 20 years.
The Championship side have arrived at Stamford Bridge with a slender 1-0 lead from the home first leg. Middlesbrough won the trophy for the only time in 2004 and Carrick said: "We got a big boost from the first game, but that's as far as it goes."
Chelsea have struggled in the league but could turn their season around using the Cup competitions, reaching Wembley will mean they will either take on Fulham or Liverpool and a trophy will make up for what has been a disappointing league campaign so far.
Chelsea manager Pochettino used his pre-match press conference to call on Blues supporters to help overturn their one-goal deficit. He told reporters ahead of the game: "It's a passport to the final, to visit Wembley. It's an important game for the club, for us, for everyone. We want to be in the final.
"But first of all, we need to beat a very good team that, in the first leg, we could not beat. We're confident we can have a very good game in front of our fans. We need to take advantage of playing at Stamford Bridge with all the energy that will translate from our fans."
So with all the talking now done, here is the team the Blues boss put up:
1. Djordje Petrovic
He's been very good since he's come in.
2. Thiago Silva
Pochettino barely leaves out his experienced head.
3. Axel Disasi
Always plays when he's fit.
4. Levi Colwill
Colwill gets to play his favourite centre-back position.