Shrewsbury vs. Chelsea: Tactical Preview of Capital One Cup Match

Chelsea take on Shrewsbury on Tuesday night as they look to progress to the fifth round of the Capital One Cup. It's a big event for the hosts at the New Meadow, but for Jose Mourinho, it's a gargantuan inconvenience—the timing, the injuries, the travelling. Everything.

Let's check in on Chelsea to date from a tactical perspective and preview this one.

The Setup

Jose Mourinho told reporters ahead of the game that his side are "in trouble" due to the mounting injury list at Stamford Bridge. It's thoroughly unlikely the ailments sustained will allow Shrewsbury a shot here, but it's very Mourinho to line up the excuses nice and early.

"I have only one day, we travel to London and we are travelling to Shrewsbury," the Portuguese lamented. 

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Andre Schurrle has been suggested as the lone striker up front for the clash, while Mohamed Salah, Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake and John Obi Mikel are all in line to start, too.

A 4-2-3-1 is expected, as there's really no need to revert to a 4-3-3, given the admittedly modest nature of the opposition.

Attacking Without Costa, Now Attacking Without Cesc

Sunday saw Chelsea attack without Costa in the league for the first time, and it was clear they missed him. Fabregas was nullified by Marouane Fellaini, and lacking the true presence of both key players really hurt the side's attacking verve.

Didier Drogba filled in up front and looked to be enough, scoring a goal early in the second half, but the Blues looked at their least potent this season and will need to contend with circumstances again.

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Against Shrewsbury, this side should be nailed on to find the breakthrough, but the key point is to watch how Chelsea choose to launch their attacks and who they move the ball to in order to instigate things.

Cesc is embedded as the creator, and Costa's runs in behind the defence are the No. 1 pass option. Without them, what's the first option and instinct? Is it a Salah run? A midfield pass? A cross?

Progression, or Stagnation, of Fringe Assets

Despite Mourinho's complaints, Chelsea have a fair-sized squad. If you count the three or four exceptional youth products waiting in the wings, it's a big squad.

The good news for players such as Lewis Baker and Dominic Solanke is that they get to learn from the very best in the business; the bad news for the likes of Salah and others is that they need game time and aren't getting enough of it.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

As Mourinho rolls in the fringe options, keep tabs on who seems to be getting better and who appears to be getting worse—Zouma's growth, Salah's rustiness, Ake's improvement and any flutterings from the sub-19-year-olds trying to make a splash.

This game could serve as the motivation for some to kick on; for others, it will ice the looming exit.

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