CFC888

Don't mind listening to Jason Cundy when he's on actually, because he's not afraid to tell it how it is even if that involves being negative towards Chelsea. He gave Schurrle a right old bollocking last time I listened against Watford...

In light of Jose's press conference comments regarding JT, Petr, Andre and Mo: Cech Azpilicueta Zouma Cahill Luis Mikel Ramires Salah Oscar Schurrle Drogba or Remy

Think we can all agree that it was a bad performance, and therefore a "good" result. Who cares, we will win at home and that will be that. Everyone suggesting mass overhauls and personnel clearouts or bagging Jose need to calm the fuck down. We're well positioned in all competitions, we're not in strife. Lighten up and show your team some respect. They can't win every game 5-0, and will naturally have games where they are tired and don't play as well. We got a good enough result, so no stress. Oh and Thibaut, that was some performance! Didn't miss a beat despite an injury lay-off. Superb!

Agreed, although I expect we might get a cheapy in the first half and maybe make it 3 by the end. I want to see the Azpilicueta/Luis combination in this game, and I would like Ramires and Ake to be given opportunities as well. Beyond that I couldn't care less, just win the game. Cech Azpilicueta Zouma Terry Luis Matic Ake Ramires Oscar* Schurrle Remy Subs: Courtois Ivanovic Cahill Mikel Loftus-Cheek Drogba Costa *Would like Oscar to be subbed off as early as possible though, as soon as the result is reasonably safe - he has a big role to play at home to Liverpool next week.

I agree, however as LAB says below I think Oscar's non-appearance last night was a product of him playing the full 90 at Swansea, which he hasn't done since early December against Spurs. I do think he has a major role to play in the return leg though.

I'm not one for stats, but I liked this one that came up on my Facebook today. Oscar has contributed in 13 goals in EPL this season (6G+7A), more than Hazard who has contributed in 12 (8G+4A) despite Oscar playing 516 mins less. I am not in any way downgrading Hazard, he has been phenomenal for us this season, and I believe there's no comparison to be made between the two players. What I am saying, however, is that as someone already mentioned on here, goals are so crucial in the game of football, and no-one can doubt Oscar's contribution in this area either from his own boot or by assisting a teammate. The other thing someone else also stated here was that you take Oscar's goals and assists despite some sloppy passing every day of the week. Especially when the boy is 23 years old and is still improving, as so many people seem to forget...

I think it's a genuine possibility. Still prefer him as an impact player off the bench though.

They sure do forget that. In a funny kind of way, scoring those 2 goals against Juventus (including the GotY) and being Man of the Match in his first ever start for Chelsea (not to mention plenty of other strong performances so early in his career) has to an extent burdened him a bit with unnecessarily and unfairly high expectations for a player so young. I love that stat from Jake Cohen, I think it tells you everything you need to know about how far this boy can go in the future.

Yep, and whilst I may be in the minority when I say this, I still believe Andre has a role to play at Chelsea for many years to come as that impact player you speak of. Let's not forget the man only turned 24 a couple of months ago. I'm keeping the faith.

Very good point. Something a lot of the detractors seem to gloss over is the concept of roles within a football team. The success of great teams comes from 11 men playing their individual roles, and Oscar does his very well as far as I'm concerned.

Doubt it, ruled as ill for the Swansea game. I think Remy will be Diego's back-up for this game. If he recovers in time, I think this shapes nicely for Didier to get good game time against Bradford though.

In my opinion, Oscar deserves MotM for his pressing and strong performance when it mattered. Not only did his relentless pressure and hounding create the Swansea mistake that led to Diego's second goal (our third), but throughout the entire game his pressing was superb. Yes, his second half wasn't at the level of his first half, but that's pretty academic when your team is winning 4-0 at HT. When the game was up for grabs in the first half, he was the one who stood up and was involved in literally every forward movement as well as making some key tackles and interceptions. Not to mention two magnificent goals!

Well I'd like to think my hope/prediction here turned out to be pretty close to the mark. If he hadn't scored against Newcastle he probably wouldn't have scored either of those goals against Swansea, especially the second one. Shows just how much some added confidence does for him. So happy! Totally agreed, not only did his relentless pressure and hounding create the Swansea mistake that led to Diego's second goal (our third), but throughout the entire game his pressing was superb. Along with this, I also feel that he deserves MotM because he put in when it mattered most. Yes, his second half wasn't at the level of his first half, but that's pretty academic when your team is winning 4-0 at HT. When the game was up for grabs in the first half, he was the one who stood up and was involved in literally every forward movement as well as making some key tackles and interceptions. Not to mention two magnificent goals!

Whilst I agree we should put out a strong team as this is a semi-final, I think there's one or two that could do with a rest. It's a quick turnaround and my main concern lies with Oscar. He's playing great football which is brilliant, but in the last fifteen minutes or so of the Swansea game he looked buggered. I daresay if he wasn't on a hat-trick he may have fallen in a heap. Part of this could be that he rarely plays the full 90 (Jose loves to sub him mid second half if we've sewn it up.) This was the first time he's played the full 90 minutes since our 3-0 victory at home to Spurs in the first week of December. I can see him starting as a sub to come on if required. Alternatively if they think he can get through 70 minutes then a rest against Bradford would do him just fine. There's no other glaringly obvious ones. Maybe Kurt for Gazza again, and Eden will need a rest against Bradford if not in this game. Think Cech will start again, no harm in giving Thibaut extra time as he builds back up to a full training load. Cesc and Diego will definitely start this game, having been subbed at Swansea. Schurrle for Willian is also possible. Think it's great to see Ramires fit again also. I'm expecting something like: Cech Ivanovic Zouma Terry Luis Matic Ramires Schurrle Fabregas Hazard Costa Subs: Courtois, Cahill, Ake, Mikel, Willian, Oscar, Remy

How on earth did we botch that! WILLIAN far out dude!!!!!!!!

I think Jose will sub him at half time or early in the second half. Perfect opportunity to give him a spell, a great luxury we now have to do that with him and others.

Oscar really deserves that second goal, he has been unbelievably good so far, and should be given a bit of credit for the turnover that created Diego's second goal after the awesome pressure he put on. We are playing so well!!!!!!!!

Woahhhh Gazza WTF

DIEGOOOOOOO DIEGOOOOOO DIEGOOOOOO What fantastic passing by The Chels!!!

We are moving the ball very well! Oscar is on, he's in everything at the moment!

Impressed with the noise our fans are making behind Petr early on!!! They're going through the full repertoire of chants! Awesome to hear!

OSCAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other goalkeepers aside for a second, it sounds like Thibaut will spend tomorrow's game on the bench again as his thumb continues to heal. I'm certainly in the 'tick of approval' camp for this decision, I think fractures can't be rushed and we have enough security there with Cech to feel comfortable in getting Thibaut 100% right. How does everyone else feel about this?

Reading between the lines, Cech will almost definitely be starting, and I think that's a good move. Fractures are tricky, they can't be rushed, so I think this no-risk attitude over Thibaut is the right one to adopt.

Indeed, he'd fit right in! Did you see Cesc's Instagram post? Hahahaha!