Henrique

Our left side is an avenue.

why should "we" spend 16m on a 29 years old full back when we have a "stable back 4"...

Whos managing Talk Chelsea twitter account? I've read that story about the virus there. TalkChelsea @TalkChelsea · 36mClarification: Oscar is out with a stomach virus according to Chelsea TV. #CFC

TC twitter account said it was a virus. Whats the correct story.

TalkChelsea ‏@TalkChelsea 3m Clarification: Oscar is out with a stomach virus according to Chelsea TV. #CFC

It seems he received an "assist" for Hazard goal. It shows you can't always believe in what stats are saying. For PL an amazing assist like the one for Xurli goal is the same thing as a simple pass that is not even an assist.

I was not a big fan of Ivanovic last season, because he was an attack killing machine. Today he was easily our best playing going forward, almost scored two in the 2nd and created a goal for Costa.

I'm surprised we won without Ramires.

Ramires + 10.

Whats is wrong with you? Ramires will be player of the season.

"Ramires is an extension of the manager on the pitch". Ramires is a boss.

Its clear: for Mourinho Chelsea is Ramires +10.

Who takes the soap when it slips?

Is #17 his new number?

Why not? With 3-6-1 the full backs can support the attack a lot more, and even help in the midfield. You might not even play with full backs, but with wingers with Willian/Ramires style, who will support the defense when its needed. For example, Brazil won 2002 WC with 3-5-2 (some people say it was 5-2-1-2, or 3-4-3, but in Brazil we always considered that a 3-5-2 formation). The full-backs (Cafu and Roberto Carlos) were free to support the attack, they helped in the midfield a lot, but when things were ugly the team could easy adopt a 5-3-2 system. I think its funny you said it might be risky, because I always saw 3-5-2 system as pragmatic one. Holland was a pragmatic side in World Cup and they took few risks (and think they were more 3-6-1 than 3-4-3 as some MU fans are claiming). 3-5-2 or 3-6-1 might be the perfect formation if you have the right players, for example, think about a full back like Marcelo, Dani Alves or even Azipilcueta, they might perfect for that system, but the only position that will suit Ivanovic in that system will be as one of the CB. He doesn't have the skills required to play in the mid, or to support the attack in the proper way. Thats system will suit players like Ramires/Willian as well, since one of the reasons Mourinho love both players is because of their defensive work rate.

lol Why are they taking shower together?

Last season I dont remember this 3-5-2 formation. If it happened it was Mourinho pressing the random button, like in the game against PSG.

I liked this formation, but JT must start.

He will change if the results are not what he is expecting.

Fabregas or Matic won't become captain as long as Ivanovic has a starting role in the team.

During this pre-season its clear Mourinho favorite system still is the 4-2-3-1, but for people who dream about a 4-3-3 return, it seems Mourinho reckon he might use a 3-6-1, 3-5-2 (van Gaal influence here). But right its not easy to imagine Chelsea starting XI against Burnley. No doubt the system will be 4-2-3-1, and Matic+Fabregas will both play in the mid, Costa is our main striker and Hazard will be one of the 3 attacking men. That leave 2 positions for Oscar, Salah, Willian and Schurle. The german is full of confidence, but his biggest weakness is his defensive work. He always looks a little bit clumsy when he is defending, and Jose love wingers with good defensive work, I'm not so sure he will be the starting man everyone think he is going to be. I think Salah will be starting the first games of the season, since he had a full pre season and played some decent games. At the back, I don't know if Mourinho will play Ivanovic as a RB or as a CB, or if its going to be Terry + Cahill or Terry + Ivanovic. No doubt Luis is the one starting in the left. Curtois will be the GK. If Mourinho wanted Cech to be the first choice, Curtoius would have stayed with Madrid for another season. But I predict the team will have a slow start of the season. Compared to Arsenal, City, United and Liverpool, its a little bit strange that we are facing weak opposition. Players who are starting the first games have a HUGE chance of being dropped during the season. Just remember lasts season when KDB, Luiz and Schurle (who even scored against City) were starting games but became squad players after some matches.

lol Ramires is a Mourinho favorite, he will play LOTS of games in the wings.

lol

Good 1st half from Xurli. The lad is full of confidence.

Any news on Didier injury?