Supermonkey92

By dropping Cahill, Conte may want the team to move as a whole. The false 9 is shit when we lump the ball up. We need to move forward as a team.

No Emerson on the bench? Why is Callum there?

Looks like he wants this formation when defending Tibo Moses Azpi Christensen Rudiger Alonso Willian Kante Fabregas Pedro Hazard

Pedro was subbed off early but that could have been so Willian could get his hatrick? Fabregas subbed before Drinkwater. I think Fabregas is likely over Drinkwater. Pedro/Willian I think it's a coin toss. He better play a striker.

I'l be honest. I think we are getting knocked out. So I don't see the point in a 352 with just 2 players attacking. We are going to concede either way. Or hope for a 0-0 at home? No point. I say, have a go at home. Play 343 but really drill into Hazard and Willian to drop back. If it's 343 no Fabregas. There's no pressure because we shouldn't realistically expect to go through (come on, the Bournemouth result didn' exactly fall out of the sky! Our midfield is terrible). I'm a cynical bastard. So I hope we put up a fight and I'll be happy. Anyway, going out with Tottenham and Liverpool still in the latter stages could really help with top 4. After noon, I'll be an optimistic fan. I promise

We need to get Conte to read this guys - don't start Morata! Or Cahill! Pleeeeeeease

He's done quite well against Madrids various speed demons. Anyway, say he outpaces Pique, he don' expect Morata to bury his chances do we? Pressure is high and we need to bury the FEW chances we get. Morata doesn't spring to mind in that department. Giroud will make space for our real dangerman(s). Hazard and maybe Willian. In the percentage game, I think Giroud puts us in positions to score more often. Or to be more precise, puts our AM's in a position to score more often.

If the plan is to sit deep there's no point playing 352 - we have given up the ball and midfield anyway. Willian will be forced back to keep the numbers high but Willian is a boss at beating high press. Probably our best player. Beat 1 or 2 players (which he can in open field - especially against Barcas slow midfield - and the counter is on bitches)

Shock with horror

Thankfully Coutinho can' play

I've come to the opinion that starting Giroud or Morata will be more significant that 2 midfielders vs 3. We need an out ball when we finally get it back. Giroud is stronger. Holds the ball up well and brings others better into play. Let' be honest, we aren' gonna be on the ball the majority of the game. The striker is there to give a platform for Hazard in this type of game. I have no trust Morata can do that.

Why no Giroud? Or is this your prediction of what Conte will choose rather than your choice?

For giving that news, I owe you a beer (Or, if you don' drink, a non alcoholic beverage of your choice)

Swap Morata for Giroud

I know it's more his chances of being picked that depresses me. Watching his link up play compared to Morata was night and day

I want Giroud vs Barca with no Bakayoko. Such a shame

Cant think of who he reminds me off. But as he got more confident his touches improved

Is this on BBC?

Right. Give Poch this squad, it would be a disaster! Dembele, Eriksson, Kane are very good players. Dembele was monstrous. Think Mauricio! Could you do the same thing with Bakayoko, Cahill, Moses, Drinkwater and Pedro?!

We have no options in midfield. Baka. Cesc. Drinkwater. No matter the choice Conte makes the midfield will be a ghost with Kante accumulating fatigue by this stage of the season.

He's a scam.

He hs definitely lost pace which is why he isn't able to completely win games by hmself like he used to. Remember Sunderland away, Newcastle at home in the season with etoo? He used to rip man city. But his pace and athleticism doesn't seem as explosive which will affect how he zips in and out of tackles. Still geat. But I agree we my actually have seem the best from him (as in the games when he was a bloody force of nature).

Conte will probably start how he starts with most of his team'. 424

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/915385/Chelsea-news-Thibaut-Courtois-contract-Real-Madrid-transfer-gossip-rumours/amp

No oversight by the board. We need a decent sporting director. Signings, outgoings and managers are all jumbled together like a patch quilt.