Breaking News; In Leicester City team As Enzo Maresca picked!!!

The FA Cup holds a special place in the hearts of Leicester City fans. After losing four finals, the Foxes lifted the famous cup in 2021 by beating soon-to-be European champions, Chelsea.

Fast forward nearly three years and the two teams lock horns once again at the quarter-final stage – the third meeting in this round since 2010 – with a place at Wembley Stadium up for grabs.

Leicester have enjoyed a thrilling season under Enzo Maresca and the feeling around Seagrave will certainly be one of confidence against a Chelsea team currently sulking in 11th in the Premier League.

So, how exactly should Leicester line up for the trip to Chelsea? Our reports at LeicestershireLive have made their team selections below:

Josh Holland

Enzo Maresca refused to give any hints away about his team selection in his press conference. With such a vital stretch of games coming up in April, there’s an argument that resting key players would be the smart choice. But an upcoming international break means City have just under two weeks before their next league game.

Jakub Stolarczyk has done well enough in previous rounds to restore his role at Leicester’s goalkeeper in cup competitions, but the back four is the main area of Maresca’s squad where we can see changes.

Conor Coady should be handed a start to bring some pedigree to the backline with Jannik Vestergaard alongside him. Wout Faes’ display at Hull warrants him a place on the bench.

I’d like to see Callum Doyle come in at left-back. Chelsea will look to dominate meaning the opportunity to counter Leicester could be limited so Doyle would be the best option.

Harry Winks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are no-brainers. The second number eight spot is the questionable one after Wilfred Ndidi’s return to fitness. I’d love the Nigerian to start but risking him from the start so soon worries me with such a vital run-in after the international break.

In attack, Stephy Mavididi needs resting and that has been clear for a few weeks so it’s a big chance for Wanya Marcal. Abdul Fatawu will be desperate to show his quality against world-class defenders, especially if Ben Chilwell starts…

Finally, Vardy’s latest injury setback leaves the door open for another striker. Patson Daka is the likely option with his electric pace to expose Chelsea’s lack of speed in defence.

Josh’s lineup: Stolarczyk; Choudhury, Coady, Vestergaard, Doyle; Winks, Dewsbury-Hall, Yunus; Wanya Marcal, Fatawu, Daka

Amie Wilson

As good as Stolarczyk has been in goal for City in the cups this season, I’d be tempted to play Mads Hermansen, purely due to his distribution. Against both Birmingham and Bournemouth, Storlarczyk did have some risky moments playing out from the back, although he made up for it with some good saves, it could be punished against the extra quality that Chelsea have, I’d also like to see how the style works against a team like Chelsea.

Coady has three clean sheets in his last three appearances and his leadership will be vital in the end-of-season run-in. But the lack of pace, especially against the likes of Raheem Sterling makes me reluctant to play him next to Vestergaard.

Ben Nelson has shown that he deserves another shot and can be guided through the game by Coady next to him. Doyle could come in for James Justin with the duo sharing the left-back/centre-back hybrid role.

The midfield picks itself really. On the wings, it may be time to give Mavididi a rest with Wanya Marcal impressing against Bournemouth in the last round and deserves another chance.

I would have loved to have selected Marc Albrighton, but both him and Fatawu both are better on the right. Fatawu’s goal threat as well as his defensive work rate could see him get the nod ahead of the City legend.

Up front, with Vardy expected to miss the game, it could be a chance for FA Cup specialist Kelechi Iheanacho to earn his place back in the team. His hold up play may be needed against Chelsea and his record in the cup can’t be sniffed at, it is a close call between him Daka and Cannon who will start.

Amie’s lineup: Hermansen; Choudhury, Coady, Nelson, Doyle; Winks, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi; Marcal, Fatawu, Iheanacho