Jelaev Nan vs Altay - Cup

The Cup returns to the home ground on April 9, 2026, where Jelaev Nan and Altay will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. He is expected to miss the Community Shield game against Arsenal and the opening Premier League fixture of the season as a result.

Both Jelaev Nan and Altay will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Cup. Jelaev Nan will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. If he finds a way of those three players gelling and playing together - making one of them run in beyond - then Chelsea will have a very good season.

Set-piece efficiency could prove the difference on the night. Both Jelaev Nan and Altay have invested time in dead-ball situations this season, and a single corner or free-kick may settle it. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer Élder Santana, with 3 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. The Sun claim that former Reds forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly drawing interest from Qatari side Al-Rayyan, following previous transfer links to Roma.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Cup standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.