Derby vs. Chelsea: How the Blues Should Line Up in Capital One Cup Game

Some Chelsea players have already beaten Derby County within the past week. On loan at Middlesbrough, Patrick Bamford and Kenneth Omeruo were in Aitor Karanka's 18-man squad which defeated the Rams 2-0 on Saturday, taking over an automatic promotion spot in the Sky Bet Championship.

Now tasked with playing Chelsea's entire first team, Steve McClaren's side have a mighty challenge in the Capital One Cup—although, playing Jose Mourinho is not too foreign a concept for Derby.

In last season's FA Cup march, the Rams drew Chelsea in the third round and lost 2-0.

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Both goals came past the hour mark, providing both managers with nervy moments to handle, so the 2-0 scoreline was not as comfortable as it may seem. John Obi Mikel scored his fourth ever Chelsea goal in the 66th minute, and Oscar sealed progression five minutes later.

Noticeably absent from many of Chelsea's 2013/14 scoresheets, however, were strikers who were nothing short of unreliable. This season though, the Blues have enjoyed an improved attack and appear to have rebounded from their ill-fated trip to St. James' Park on 6 December—beating Sporting Lisbon and Hull City by a difference of four goals.

The runt of England's three major domestic trophies, the Football League Cup has regularly been used as a "squad game." Those players who are not being used as often in league play—or in some cases European matches—are invariably trotted out in the currently sponsored "Capital One" Cup.

Now in the quarter-finals, one might expect the eight remaining sides to begin fielding stronger XI's—as Wembley Stadium is now just three matches away.

Chelsea's last starting XI in the League Cup, vs. Shrewsbury Town, was:

"

Team v Shrewsbury Town: Cech; Christensen, Zouma, Cahill, Filipe Luis; Mikel, Ake; Salah, Oscar, Schurrle; Drogba (c). #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 28, 2014"

Struggling with the League Two side—needing an 81st-minute own goal to advance—Mourinho must ask himself if Chelsea need a more powerful side than what was issued two months prior.

His answer should be an unequivocal: "Yes." Especially considering the Blues have a six-day gap between Derby County and next Monday's visit to Stoke City.

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Cesar Azpilicueta was rested vs. Hull City and looks primed to start in midweek. Likewise, the suspended Cesc Fabregas should find himself in Mourinho's starting XI, and Chelsea looked headless without the Spaniard vs. Hull. The Premier League's current assist leader was a glaring miss, and his return should augment an already formidable Blues' unit.

In the attacking trio, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Andre Schurrle are the likely options, as they represent Chelsea's most direct, clinical threats—but the likes of Willian and Mohamed Salah do give Mourinho options. Up front, the Portuguese manager can choose any of Diego Costa, Didier Drogba or Loic Remy; only starting three games this season, the £8.5-million Frenchman could get the nod, with reinforcements coming on if required.

John Terry was rested vs. Sporting Lisbon, so Mourinho may give Gary Cahill the same treatment this week, allowing Kurt Zouma an opportunity to learn alongside Chelsea's most decorated captain. Possibly needing quality service from wide areas, playing Filipe Luis on the left means 30-year-old Branislav Ivanovic would receive only his second rest since 28 October.

@danieltiluk // Bleacher Report's Formation Builder

Between the posts, even if Thibaut Courtois has recovered from his muscular issue, Petr Cech seems the advantageous choice, but there could be a chance for Mark Schwarzer to claim his first minutes of the 2014/15 season—especially if Courtois' injury is worse than advertised.

Expected to boss possession, Mourinho will probably see his 4-2-3-1 formation transform into an attacking 4-3-3—with Fabregas moving into attacking areas, Matic plugging midfield holes and both full-backs overlapping to counteract Derby's low defensive block.

Barring an early goal, the game will be one of patience: a stalwart McClaren outfit hoping to prove impenetrable and Mourinho's Chelsea waiting for creative magic to crack the Rams' vault.

*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.

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