**This blog entry was written under the assumption that when Branislav Ivanovic earned his 10th yellow card of the season on Sunday, he would be suspended for the next match. But as reader Rara has observed, no suspensions are given if the 10th card comes after the second Sunday in April. Thank you Rara! Read on, it’s still a good column!**

Sunday is the biggest match in Chelsea’s season.

Winning the European Cup was always a long shot. The two powerhouses in Spain seem likely to overpower anyone in the final.

But as I presciently noted back in January, the current weakness in the Premier League means that a record-low points total might win the title this season. Chelsea always had a chance as long as they stayed within sniffing distance. In this case, sniffing distance was a whopping 15 points!

Sunday at Old Trafford is Ground Zero. Goal differential is currently identical. With a win Chelsea will draw on even points and pull ahead on goal difference. Then a win at Everton (not easy) and a win home to Newcastle (doable) and the title could be theirs, as long as United don’t go on a mad scoring spree.

But there’s a problem. A massive problem.

On this winning streak, David Luiz has played at center-back and Branislav Ivanovic at right back. It’s been a great combination. Ivanovic has brought desperately needed stability at right back. He’s a staunch defender and a capable winger.

But Ivanovic has 10 yellow cards and is out.

So Carlo Ancelotti has a choice. And, frankly, a test of his courage.

He could take the safe path and play either Paulo Ferreira or Jose Bosingwa. They were the regulars for much of the season. So Carlo’s comfort level would be high. But neither man is the answer at right back. Ferreira often looks lost on defense. And Bosingwa’s speed is negated by his awful crossing and sometimes shaky defense.

There is another path open to Ancelotti. A risky path. A path un-taken. Ever.

He could play David Luiz at right back and move Alex into the middle. Alex is a known quantity and feels like a safe selection.

However, to our knowledge Luiz has never played right back as a professional. At Benfica he was a left back. But he has a strong right foot. He knows how to tackle. He’s quick. He’s willing.

And Chelsea have a full week of practice to get him used to a new role.

There’s a philosophical question involved here. In the biggest match of your season, do you take a chance? Do you put a player in an unfamiliar role and risk a disastrous mistake because it’s all so new to him? Might he make positional errors and let a man or a ball through?

In the chaos of a road game, with your season on the line, with intensity dialed-up to 11, do you really take this kind of a chance?

As fans, we have nothing to lose. I suspect we all want to see Luiz at right back. But as the manager, Carlo has a lot to lose. If he selects Luiz and it backfires, Ancelotti will get no credit and a world of blame.

To me, Ancelotti has a big decision. But you know what? It’s entirely possible that he doesn’t think he has a decision at all. He’ll select one of his normal right backs and sleep easy.

Would you?

 

Should David Luiz Start at Right Back vs. Manchester united?

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**Here’s what the FA Regulations say about 10 yellow cards late in the season:

(iii) A Player who has already been subject to disciplinary action as a result of receiving five cautions and then proceeds to receive a further five cautions during the same Season, will be subject to the following punishments: -

(iv) If a Player accumulates ten cautions in FTCM between the opening day of the Playing Season and the second Sunday of April in the same Season, he will be suspended automatically for a period covering:- Two First Team matches

(v) If a Player accumulates ten cautions in FTCM between the opening day of the Playing Season and the last day of the same Season, he will be: – “Severely Censured and Warned as to his future Conduct”**