by It was a week of smiles and sunshine for Chelsea. Fresh off their biggest Premier League win in two years – 6-0 thrashing of relegation-threatened Everton – the Blues are in fine form heading into their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.
After last season’s treble winners won four times in 2022/23 without scoring so much as a goal, Mauricio Pochettino has seen two brave draws this term. Chelsea City pushed all the way when the two teams last met in February at the Etihad Stadium and caused them serious problems in a dramatic Stamford Bridge epic before the turn of the year.
They also have a strong recent record under Pep Guardiola in games won, winning the 2021 Champions League final as well as the FA Cup semi-final in an empty Wembley Stadium just one month earlier under Thomas Tuchel. A lot has changed since then, but having been just moments from the apparent drop for much of 2024 despite stronger results, they come into this game with confidence.
Chelsea have not won in 90 minutes for two months now and have been beaten just once in their last 12 in all competitions. The devil is in the detail though, with draws to Brentford, Burnley and Sheffield United as well as extra time against Liverpool in the League Cup meaning Pochetti still has plenty of work to do to beat the hosts. followers
A good way to start is by going to what is now an almost annual event, the FA Cup final. Here, football.london it looks at what is going on in training in the preparation period.
Madueke makes up
One this Chelsea could be 3-0 up and cause drama. Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson’s penalty farce at SW6 on Monday was a farce and got the kind of reaction it deserved.
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The childish petulance that was on display directly reflected the type of environment still there with the new and young side. Pochettino demanded a change after tapping into the maturity (or lack thereof) shown by some of his players, however, and the opportunity to prove that in training.
Madueke is the main culprit after also trying to put the ball of chasing golden starter – and unflappable, without fault, God Kid attacker – Cole Palmer in the last minute against Manchester United. He then showed even more irritation when he was replaced shortly after a strong tackle sent him down.
Not a good thing for a player starting back-to-back league games for the first time this season with an FA Cup XI semi-final spot on the line. Madueke seems to have made up for his public embarrassment though.
He posted an image of himself and Pochettino talking on the training pitches at Cobham on Wednesday and was also pictured working out with Palmer in the gym. All’s well that ends well, and Chelsea will be keen to put this behind them.
James is recovering
Reece James is continuing to put in the hard work as he looks to get back on the field as soon as possible. It is now more than four months since the Chelsea captain last played a game and a return is still not imminent.
However, the 24-year-old is pictured again working towards his long-awaited appearance. He drove during one of his individual drills on the grass at the Surrey-based training complex, running away from a coach with a resistance band tied around his waist.
James has been working alone for over a month now, football.london who understands, and is often seen at Cobham putting in the hard yards. On Wednesday he addressed his time out on Instagram, writing: “I’ve been gone for a while, but I’m doing well. Really well. The journey has been long and hard, but nothing that hasn’t been I can handle it. I’m in a good place. The comeback is on, more hungry than ever.
The goalkeeper will certainly be present at Wembley but not playing. His presence in away training will be another boost for Pochettino though.
Palmer’s surprise
Nothing, and we mean nothing, ever seems to rank Palmer. Last minute penalty? It finished, my friend. Goals against youth clubs, former teams, fierce new rivals? Easy. Peacemaking between colleagues while scoring hat tricks? Challenge him.
The 21-year-old’s ability to be the coolest – and yes, the coolest – in almost every situation is nothing short of amazing in what is still, let’s remind ourselves, his first season as a top-flight regular. However, one minute of training seemed to have caught Palmer off guard.
As the young forward appeared to be trying to poach a ball in at the back post, he was left open-mouthed and amused. While everything he’s touched so far this season has seemed to be gold – and goals, yes – this tiny moment has looked a lot to leave him spooked.
It’s best to get it out of the way in training anyway.
