Ahead of their quarter-final match against Leicester City in the FA Cup, Chelsea has been hit with a setback as one of their key players will be sidelined for the game.
Enzo Maresca’s Foxes will go head to head with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next month in the tournament’s last-eight. While Leicester secured a victory against Premier League Bournemouth in the fifth round, Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues triumphed over Leeds United in their own fifth round tie.
However, Chelsea will have to face City without their star £100m midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, who received his second booking of the FA Cup season in the win against Leeds. He was cautioned for dissent, adding to the booking he received in a previous round against Aston Villa for removing his shirt as he celebrated scoring a goal.
Pochettino expressed his disappointment at the situation, acknowledging that Chelsea’s performance against Leeds was not their best. “It wasn’t a great performance. (Leeds) were a team full of confidence, a very strong team, they are doing fantastic in the Championship,” he said.
“It was tough for us, when you concede after a few minutes. But the character we showed after in this situation, it’s a thing to learn from the team. I’m so happy. We avoided extra-time. We’re in the quarter-final which was our objective.”
