Chelsea Buzz

I see no reason you could not have had this: - - - - - Courtois - - - - - - Azpi - Cahill - Terry - Kenedy - - RLC - Mikel - - Willian - Cesc - Pedro - - - - - Traoe - - - - - How does this line up kill us?

Wow Starting XI Oscar Remy Ivanovic Mikel Guus???????????????? Come on you Chelsea!!

Well, very little build up for this one in here, which is understandable at this point. In fact, this is the first time this year I feel we will not be up for the challenge and will lose handily. Focus is the summer changes and getting ready for August. I will still tune in and cheer for our Blues, but just don't have much expectations. Would be nice to see 4 or 5 non-regulars mixed in the stating XI to make it interesting. I am hoping for 55+ points and a top 8 finish. Come on you Chelsea!!

Oddly, per the BBC, we have the fourth most points in the BPL since Boxing Day at 22. Though we haven't lost a match in that time, it does not seem we have been good enough to be Top 4 in the traditional Arsenal fans favorite table of "post-Boxing Day". They seem to win that table every other year while not winning anything in the BPL. At this point, I do not see a lot of value at playing Mikel or Matic much the rest of the way. We know what they can and cannot do. Forget together, I am talking playing time period should be limited. We should see a lot of RLC, Kenedy, Traore, Pato, Baba, Begovic, etc. I am okay seeing a little more of Pedro. I would like to see if he can up his game given consistent time. Oscar? No thanks at this juncture or even the future. I once wanted to see more Remy, but not now. I have seen enough. Why not rotate a mix of the 5 or 6 of the usual XI with 5 or 6 of the younger players? It does not really matter if we get blasted in these games now. But we can learn who might be a player or two for the future. Just turn them loose I say. Come on you Chelsea!!

Important match for the season. Let's get this one you Blues!! I like the lineup. I think we can hold Everton with this midfield. If Pedro, Cesc and Costa come to play hard, we can win it. We know Willian will play hard Come on you Chelsea!!

Considering the cobbled together lineup throughout the game that showed a huge lack of chemistry, 1-1 result was fair and not atrocious like some of those early season matches. Clearly the next 8 days was focused on PSG first and Everton second. No Costa and Cesc on until late really showed us how limited we can be going forward. Add in Remy and a tentative RLC and yikes! Traore continues to show promise. Will need to continue to develop physically. Shows great speed and promise. So, even though conceding late and being hosed on the lack of a pen on Oscar was frustrating, we rested players and are getting tuned up for PSG. Need Pedro and Costa healthy. Oscar can miss the bus to the stadium. As for the rest of the PL season, I'll take 55 or more total points and this juncture. 60+ would be outstanding especially given our start. We got 20 points out of the first 19 matches (halfway). We have gotten 20 out of the next 10, which leaves 9 games. I would take 20 points out of those final 9 (27 points) for sure. I would like to see us finish top 6 but would take top 8. Again, considering our awful start, if we can get to 60 points that is great finish. Let's focus on the CL and FA Cup. 50/50 we get past PSG I suppose, so that one should be fun. Really would like the FA Cup title this year. Come on you Chelsea!!

Like Traore up front. Let's see what we can do. I like us to get all three today. I am expecting a solid effort. Come on you Chelsea!!

Survived. Went cruise control way too early and some really odd substitutions by Guus as many have pointed out. Honestly, I probably would have rested Costa for Traore. We had some chances to make it easy on ourselves. but just misfired. Still, we got the three points and moving along. We will not be at our absolute best each and every game and a sign of a good team, regardless of the competition, is when you can play sort of meh and still get the result. Overall we are continuing to play better if you look at 3 or 6 game stretches. Come on you Chelsea!!

Awesome second half. Thought we were in full control final 30 minutes. It was just a question if our forwards could break down their 22 men behind the ball and get in. Thought our guys kept hustling and played as if they cared more. Costa was a little off but you can't question his desire. Felt bad for Baba, but was a bad mistake. Thought Courtois could have gotten to it if he had not hesitated. Kenedy is a good LB option in my opinion. Hope Pedro is back soon. Ivanovic! Huge goal my man. Good to see him coming back into form in all phases. Nice win you Blues! Come on you Chelsea!!

And Pedro tweaks a hamstring. Oscar coming on soon?

Come on you Chelsea! This would be a good one to get all three points from. Focus and play hard lads! Let's do this.

Conte seems like the top choice to me. Success at Juve. Coaches an open, attacking style. He likes to play multiple formations. Prefers to coach to his talent instead of forcing everyone to his system. Players seem to have respect for him. Obviously there are weaknesses too, but it appears he is the best candidate based on the names I have seen. It will be interesting to see how long it takes him to understand the grueling EPL schedule, etc. Come on up, Antonio Conte! Should make the summer and season a lot of fun. Come on you Chelsea!!

Big match, lads. If we were top of the league, I'd be concerned with this one. We have struggled with this lot the past few years. I would like to see the momentum continued and a full three points, though a draw is likely. I would like to see us avoid the worst PL season in Chelsea history of 50 points (PL era only) and this is the type of game we need to win I would go with: - - - - - Courtois - - - - - Azpi - Cahill - Ivanovic - Baba - - Cesc - - Matic - - Pedro - Wilian - Hazard - - - - - - - Costa - - - - - - Come on you Chelsea!!

Nice win. Should have been up 2-0 or 3-0 at the break and could have won 8-1! Pedro was everywhere and should have had one or two goals. Traore could have had 2. I like Traore. Hazard seemed off yet still, but did have three nice assists and a wonderful free kick. Wish he would have driven that late break right at the keeper and buried it. So great to see Cesc coming back to himself. Very solid game today. Paring him and Mikel has been successful in most games. Baba shows promise and gives us some quickness down the wing. Nice crosses as well. Is Ivanovic a possible JT replacement at CB? Not sure why RLC fails to see playing time. Oscar? Puh-leaze. Let's see if we can the next round at the Bridge and who we play. Come on you Chelsea!!

Traore! looking good!

Matic? Why not RLC?

I could be wrong, but I think Pellegrini just signaled me to warm up for this one.

Can we NEVER see Oscar at the spot for a PK again? Ever? Please! OMG! Why not Hazard or Traore or hell, Mikel instead?

Diego! Diego! Diego! Traore! Traore! Traore! Pedro! Pedro! Pedro! Oscar? Oscar? OSCAR???? Really?

Wow. Eden! Get in!

Really want to see Traore about now.

If we hold on and win, no excuses from City. We had a couple of similar scenarios last season under Jose where we had European games within days of other matches and we still played nearly full strength lineups. This was Pellegrini's choice. He could have thrown in a couple more of the regulars if we wanted but chose not to. That was his decision. Come on you Chelsea!!

Cahil! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Williannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!! Now hold this lead!

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