The Skipper

Venue: Chelsea face Malky Mackay's Cardiff City FC on Saturday, October 19th, 15:00, at Stamford Bridge. The Match: This game (round 8) comes two weeks after another international break. Cardiff come to The Bridge with 1 win in their last 5 PL games, whilst Chelsea are looking to secure their 4th home win of the season. Chelsea are currently 3rd in the league, scoring 10 whilst conceding 4. Even though Cardiff have won only once in their last 5 games, they have had a decent start to the season in general, beating the likes of Manchester City and Fulham, scoring 7 and conceding 9 in total, which puts them in the 14th spot in the Premier League table. In the past, Chelsea have faced Cardiff City a total number of 41 times, winning 16 times, drawing 10, and losing 15[1] - so if anything, history suggests that this will be a pretty tough game. Opposition Analysis Newly promoted Cardiff City, champions of the Championship, have had a pretty up and down season so far. Whilst their surprise win at home against Manchester City sent shock-waves through the league, Cardiff have failed to live up to performance they showed at the Cardiff City Stadium on that day. Much has been made about Cardiff City's shenanigans off the pitch; Alisher Apsalyamov is a name that many would have seen around during the last few days. Former head of recruitment, Iain Moody, Malky's trusted right hand man, has mysteriously been removed from his role to the dismay of Cardiff City fans. With the club in disarray at the moment, an away trip to Stamford would be the least thing the Bluebirds would fancy - but one shouldn't underestimate the manager City have. As Craig Bellamy recently said[2], "As a manager Malky is the best young British manager out there and what he's done for this club in a short space of time is nothing short of remarkable. We've got a group of players and fans who are united - and he's done all that. He's responsible for the connection between the fans and the players." which brings me unto my next point; Malky's tactics: Mackay has set up Cardiff with a basic, counter attacking 4-5-1/4-2-3-1 tactical formation. When City lose the ball, their rigid formation allows them to pack 9/10 men behind the ball, and when they regain it, the ball is usually sprayed out wide at pace, wit one of their central midfield three pushing up (Usually Kim or Jordan Mutch) as a number 10 behind the striker. Cardiff City like to press in phases; they are comfortable not having the ball - which is why at home they have averaged 40% possession - but when they do get the ball, the transition into attack is quick and a number of players move forward quickly. Strangely - Cardiff have averaged 54% away (against Hull, Fulham & West Ham, all teams notoriously not known to be good at the possession game) from home this season, which might gives the impression that Malky likes to tweak his tactics away from home to surprise their opponents. I highly doubt that will be the case when City do face Chelsea as the quality in effectively keeping the ball is not there against a top side. Players To Watch (Cardiff): Craig Bellamy: The veteran winger has been around and has played for some top teams. His experience will be vital if City are looking to snatch some points on Saturday. His work rate, acceleration, and his knack of getting into good positions could potentially hurt Chelsea. Bellamy also has a habit of showing great form against Chelsea. Peter Odemwingie: The Nigerian has shown before during his West Brom days that when on form, he's dangerous. Another player with great acceleration and pace, a fresh move to Cardiff could be just the thing Odemwingie needs. Another threat on the counter attack from City. Gary Medel & Aron Gunnarsson: The tough dynamic midfield duo are considered as the engine room for City. Whilst Medel tends to sit and break up play and connect the defence to the midfield, Gunnarsson is a B2B player that likes to get into the box and chip in with a goal here and there. This midfield duo can on their day be very, very good. Jordon Mutch: Cardiff's supersub. The 21 year old has come off the bench for Cardiff on numerous occasions, and usually ends up influencing the game. I'll just leave you with this brilliant winner he scored for Cardiff against Fulham in stoppage time a few weeks ago: Team News[3]: Cardiff’s only injury worry seems to be surrounding the fitness of Andreas Cornelius who is a doubt for Saturday’s encounter at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have a few more worries. Jose Mourinho hinted before the international break that Fernando Torres could return to the side for this game, but it may be too early for him as he continues to recover from a knee injury – whilst there has yet to be any timescale put on the rib injury of Ashley Cole’s who missed England’s World Cup qualifiers a result. Possible starting line ups: As Ashley Cole is more than likely going to be out, expect a start for Bertrand. Torres might also not be fully fit, so expect to see Ba or Eto'o ahead of him. Potential Chelsea XI: Cech Ivanovic Luiz Terry Bertrand Ramires Lampard Mata Oscar Hazard Ba Only one injury problem for Cardiff in Cornelius. Expect a similar line up as the team put out against Newcastle Potential Cardiff XI: Marshall Theophile Turner Caulker Taylor Medel Gunnarsson Odemwingie Kim Bellamy Campbell Match Facts[4]: Chelsea have won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 Barclays Premier League games at Stamford Bridge. Cardiff have kept a clean sheet in just one of their seven Barclays Premier League games so far. Chelsea have scored exactly two goals in each of their last eight home games in the Barclays Premier League. Cardiff glovesman David Marshall has made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season (31). Only four games have seen a side attempt 10 or more shots on target this season in the Premier League, two of which have been against Cardiff City (versus Spurs and Newcastle). Cardiff have averaged 54% possession away from home in the Premier League this season; well above their home possession rate (40%). Petr Cech will make his 300th Premier League appearance in this match if selected, becoming the third player to reach this landmark for the club (after Lampard and Terry). Eden Hazard has played more successful passes in the final third of the pitch than any other Premier League player in 2013-14 so far (135). Cardiff City have conceded four goals from outside the penalty area this season; a league-high. Chelsea are one of only two Premier League sides (along with Stoke City) for whom a striker has not scored a league goal this season. Betting Odds: Chelsea WIN 1/4 Draw 5/1 Cardiff WIN 10/1 Click on english football fixtures today to find out more betting odds on WilliamHill. TV Depending on where you are from, you can watch the match in the following channels: United Kingdom: Absolute Radio United States: DirecTV, NBC Sports Live Extra, Premier League Extra Time, TalkSport Radio Middle East: Al Jazeera Sports Brazil: ESPN India: ESPN HD India If your country is not listed above, then you can check out the TV Schedule for the match here. There should also be many match streams that can be found online if your local sports channels are not broadcasting the game or if you happen to be busy and cannot catch the game live, follow TalkChelsea on Twitter as it would provide live match commentary on the action. [1] http://www.thechels.co.uk/opposition-rank/ [2] http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11704/8970445/premier-league-cardiff-city-striker-craig-bellamy-believes-malky-mackay-is-one-of-the-best [3] http://hereisthecity.com/2013/10/17/chelsea-v-cardiff-city-match-preview-stats-team-news/ [4] http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-match-facts-chelsea-v-cardiff-city-005515609--sow.html Click here to view the article

Nah, I don't think it's worth it. He'd be too isolated up front and his back to goal play isn't really that good. He's the sort of player that thrives when running from deep (with or without the ball) as he has excellent awareness to get into spaces which is what makes him so threatening if you combine his pace and work rate with that - put him up front and you lose exactly that.

Hero.

I never argued that he doesn't need to have better consistency in his finishing but when it comes to pure finishing skill the guy is very good.

I remember when it was said he couldn't finish because of that stupid clear cut chances stat that was floating about. I've always said from day one that the kid can finish, and that that stat was taken out of proportion. It's the same as that stat that says Ribery is the most dispossessed player in Europe or something, doesn't make him a bad dribbler now does it? Honestly, when this kid has his shooting boots on he's a ruthless finisher. He did it plenty of times for BL, let's hope he brings it consistently at CFC.

I feel Nat could be dominant at both positions, but he's getting at that age where it needs to be decided once and for all what his main position will be though. I don't mind either because the kid is insanely talented.

I still think Mata is better than Oscar, why is that so funny? Because Oscar scored a deflected goal? Oscar definitely has a higher ceiling and will most likely become the better player, but as of now Mata has been the better player, which is only natural as he is older.

Yes, because Chelsea will casually sell De Bruyne to United for €15-20m...

Severely underrating Cardiff mate. They'll be a tough nut to crack. They're better than Fulham, Hull etc. and could potentially be as hard as the Norwich game IMO. But of course anything could happen.

Moi at Jay Z.

Logical choice would be him either joining us, Arsenal or United (if Rooney goes). If he was to come though, we'd surely be the most interesting option for him (even with taking out Chelsea bias). It would be an outstanding signing, definitely.

In Holland his name is spelt Cruijf, so drop it.

He's not comparing their technical ability though, don't be so ludicrous. All he was saying is that you don't need to be "fast" to be technical, and he gave examples of those players, so stop taking it out of context.

He's got high work rate, can make a lot of tackles in a game and is a nippy guy. Not that outrageous to say Oscar is good defensively.

Personally I'd like to see a very dynamic pivot of both. Ramires - Pogba. Both covering each other, both physical. Pogba has a nice pass on him - Oscar can drop and link play up as he does for us atm. I think a dynamic pivot is the way forward.

Van Ginkel & Mikel would be behind Nat in my eyes + Marco needs to recover from his injury so wouldn't be surprised to see him go out on loan to another club to get regular minutes. I don't think RLC is anywhere near ready compared to Chalobah so I wouldn't involve him in the conversation just yet. You're right in regards that our fans in general probably care more about titles but there are a lot at the same time who want to see Chalobah come through because he obviously has the talent. Personally, I would love it if Nat made it and I'm pretty sure he actually will - but signing another midfielder will not hamper his development IMO especially when Lampard and Essien are leaving in the near future.

This is how I see it as well. Nothing wrong with having Chalobah as next in line as the 3rd choice CM. He'd still get plenty of game time. I understand TOPTB's qualms, we all want to see our academy products make it, but I seriously don't think signing an extra midfielder who would start alongside Ramires would hamper Chalobah. If anything I wouldn't want Nat to be thrown into the deep end simply because it's a lot better if he become a gradual starter over a span of two years or so - but as said before, being 3rd choice would still get him plenty of game time.

I can do Cardiff.

I see what you mean but honestly if Oscar keeps developing his game - he's very effective at connecting the whole team - something like a very dynamic Pogba - Ramires pivot could be outstanding. Pogba isn't a shabby passer either so if we did have the opportunity to sign him I'd take it.

Lampard's on his last few legs - so is Essien. That automatically opens up two spots in the squad in the very near future. I'd imagine Chalobah filling in one of those naturally. Pogba is miles ahead in his development than Nat, and RLC is far behind Nat so they aren't really comparable atm. Let's say we sign Pogba - it wouldn't really affect Nat IMO. In the very near future our midfield options would look something like (realistically): Ramires, Pogba, Chalobah, Mikel, MVG. Which is very solid IMO. Pogba is better offensively than Nat, I'm not sure that Nat will develop that side of his game yet, but they could in the future easily be our engine room. A Pogba - Chalobah pivot looks awesome in theory. I would definitely love this signing, and I really don't think it'll prohibit Nat.

Pogba would be a nailed on started for us, forget his youth. I wouldn't classify him as a young player either - he'd surely command a fee of around £30m. It'd be similar to the Hazard signing. It isn't stockpiling on youth at all. Like it isn't a MVG signing.

Pogba - Ramires pivot? Tasty.

Another attacking midfielder at Chelsea? Right...

Personally I'd like to see something like KDB - Mata - Schurrle. Rest Hazard, Oscar & Willian for the Schalke game. Possibly rest Ramires and Lampard too. Is Torres back for the Cardiff game?