Maurizio Sarri‘s first season in England could well be defined by Chelsea’s February fixture list, with the Blues set for a series of huge tests next month.
While the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool had already been knocked out of the FA Cup before Monday night’s fifth-round draw, Chelsea still managed to draw Manchester United in the last-16 of the competition.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s resurgent United beat Arsenal away 3-1 in the fourth round to maintain the caretaker coach’s 100 per cent record so far, and Solskjaer will be confident of getting a result at Stamford Bridge in February.
It is a big month in general for Sarri and Chelsea: the Blues face Huddersfield at home at the start of the month before a trip to champions Manchester City on February 10.
Chelsea then restart their Europa League campaign with a trip to Malmo on February 14, before face United in the FA Cup the following weekend – the date of that game is yet to be determined, but will fall between February 15-18.
- February 2 | Chelsea vs Huddersfield | Premier League
- February 10 | Man City vs Chelsea | EFL Cup Final
- February 14 | Malmo vs Chelsea | Europa League
- February 17 (TBC) | Chelsea vs Man Utd | FA Cup
- February 21 | Chelsea vs Malmo | Europa League
- February 24 | Chelsea vs Man City | EFL Cup Final
- February 27 | Chelsea vs Tottenham | Premier League
The Blues then host Malmo for the second leg of their European tie on February 21 before facing Man City for the second time in 14 days as they bid for EFL Cup glory in a Wembley final.
As if that wasn’t enough for Chelsea fans, the final game of a hectic February sees Tottenham head to Stamford Bridge on February 27 in what could be a crucial game in the top-four face.
Chelsea currently sit fourth as they bid to return to the Champions League, and trail Spurs by four points. However, Arsenal and Man Utd are both just three points behind – and Chelsea can ill-afford any slip-ups in what could be a season-defining month