Chelsea team news: Hazard rested ahead of FA Cup semi-final as Conte rotates at Burnley

Chris Burton

Chelsea team news: Hazard rested ahead of FA Cup semi-final as Conte rotates at Burnley image

With an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has opted to shuffle his Premier League pack against Burnley, with Eden Hazard among those to be rested.

The Belgian could be a key figure in a Wembley meeting with Southampton on Sunday, and will not be risked in top-flight action as a result.

Willian, Andreas Christensen and Cesc Fabregas have also been rested, while Marcos Alonso is out with a three game ban after being retrospectively charged with violent conduct.

Elsewhere for the Blues, Olivier Giroud gets the chance to lead the line alongside Alvaro Morata after netting a match-winning brace off the bench in his last outing and Emerson Palmeiri is handed a first league start.

Antonio Rudiger returns to the side after being left out against Southampton and Tiemoue Bakayoko is making only his third appearance since January.

Chelsea team news

Chelsea are eight points off Tottenham as they aim to shock people by challenging for a top four spot in what has been a disappointing season so far.

Chelsea team: Courtois, Emerson, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Pedro, Giroud, Morata. Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Barkley, Willian, Hazard.

Burnley team: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Long, Ward, Lennon, Westwood, Cork, Gudmundsson, Barnes, Wood. Subs: Heaton, Taylor, Marney, Vokes, Hendrick, Wells, Bardsley.

 

Chris Burton