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Chelsea team news: How the Blues could line-up for Europa League final against Arsenal with N’Golo Kante a serious doubt

Chelsea take on Arsenal on Wednesday night in the all English Europa League final in Baku – live on talkSPORT.

Maurizio Sarri has some big selection choices to make ahead of the match and has to cope with injury problems.

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Maurizio Sarri has decisions to make with his Chelsea line-up
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It could also be his last match in charge of the club with speculation linking him to the Juventus job, while some media outlets are reporting he already has an agreement in place.

Their preparations for the match have been fraught with Sarri storming out of their training session the day before the final throwing and kicking his own baseball cap.

It seemed to have been sparked after an altercation between David Luiz and Gonzalo Higuain.

Here at talkSPORT.com we have taken a look at how the Blues could line-up for the game.

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How Chelsea could line-up against Arsenal for the Europa League final
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The defence is unlikely to change from the last few weeks of the season, mainly because Sarri doesn’t have many other options.

His best two fit central defenders are David Luiz and Andreas Christensen with Antonio Rudiger out injured and Gary Cahill out of favour.

At full-back, Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta have been first choice all season and, arguably, are the most reliable part of the team.

The midfield and attack is where things get a little more stretched for the manager.

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David Luiz is likely to play in the Europa League final
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N’Golo Kante is struggling with a knee injury and is said to be 50/50. He might be on the bench but it remains to be seen if he will be risked starting the match.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up a serious ankle injury in Chelsea’s post-season charity friendly in America and is out for at least a year.

Sarri will have little option but to play Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley in midfield if he wants to stick with his favoured formation.

Eden Hazard looks set to play his last game in a Chelsea shirt before a summer transfer to Real Madrid.

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Eden Hazard could be set for his final game in a Chelsea shirt[/caption]

Pedro has been favoured by the manager in recent weeks over Willian while Callum Hudson-Odoi remains sidelined with a long-term ankle injury.

In attack, Gonzalo Higuain has been underwhelming during his loan spell and is unlikely to start.

Olivier Giroud has been the much better option and with his contract extension signed recently he may be shown faith by the manager.

Can this team help Chelsea claim a second Europa League trophy this decade?

Find out by listening to live commentary of the match on talkSPORT from 8pm.


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