Blue Armour

We may find other players with similar ability, but it will be almost impossible to find it paired with this kind of attitude. Need to do everything to hang onto Cesc and Willian.

Don't think he ever lost control of the ball from any long pass played towards him today (even if he had help from Traore failing to track back). Its been such a benefit this season having full-backs playing on the side that suits their stronger foot. Not to mention he subdued Traore, who was forced to cut into the center of the field to make any kind of advance

I'm pretty sure Fabregas wants to add the CL to his CV

Play Cesc instead of Matic. Simples. Especially if you know that the opposition is going to sit back and defend deep.

I thought he would have buried the chance obtained from the Luiz long pass, especially with the form in his last game Still created chances though, with the Hazard opportunity and of course, the pass to Fabregas for the Willian goal.

Still, I think Luiz could use some rest...especially when we have those fixtures that are closely spaced. Maybe give Ake or Terry an opportunity to help out.

26 - Only John Terry (40) has scored more @premierleague goals excluding penalties than Gary Cahill among defenders in the competition. Nod. That was the Opta stat from Apr 25th. He now has 27 to his name. Its good that he's taking on the responsibility of set-piece goal scoring, especially with Terry and Ivanovic not playing, And tbh, in the last few games he has been trying to put in captain-like performances to help get us over the line. Trying to take charge of the back line instead of simply playing the role of a covering defender (Of course with Luiz playing as sweeper, he more or less becomes the covering defender).

Movement, as well as passing/link up. That lay-off to Hazard (for the chance that followed the first goal) was sublime. Didn't even look at Hazard before making the pass, and he weighted it perfectly. Shows what he can do when he's in the mood.

I can accept the occasional sloppiness, when he still can contribute the way he did in Southampton game. Didier Drogba is a good example of this....for periods of a game he won't seem to be in it, but then does something fantastic the next minute.

Seems to be a bit of 'confidence' player. Yesterday he played far better than how he did in the Spurs game, especially with crowd encouraging him to shoot. You can even see it in the way he tries to pass.. Takes 2-3 extra touches before releasing the ball, mainly because he doesn't seem to have the confidence to release it first time (to attackers like Hazard or Diego). But yesterday's game he seemed to improve a lot better in that aspect. Either that, or he's just more comfortable playing like that when he's in a midfield 3 rather than in a midfield of just him and Kante.

Also, do the English press even care about retaining top talent in the PL? I suppose they don't care because its Chelsea, or they just love getting clicks on their pages... They're all just parroting some alleged 'quotes' from a single source called 'Voetbal' . When did Voetbal become the know-it-all?

Haha... We have had players with such colorful personalities....Zola to Drogba to this guy (and of course Diego)...

I like how really means business at the business end of the season. Example being how he rushes back these days to win the ball back for the team. Normally, the opposition don't expect him to do so, so its a big surprise to them when he does do it...catches them completely off guard. And of course, a help to our defense

Need Costa in form for this one. I'm looking back at his performance at game in Goodison Park, when he joined in 2014...Need something similar to get a good result from this one.

Are they allowed to switch armbands on the pitch like that in the PL? I thought it was allowed only when they are substituted....also doubt Terry would have taken it even if it was handed to him.

Not to mention the 1-2's with Hazard....After Mata and Oscar (yes, that Oscar) left, I think Cesc is the one guy on the team that Hazard can count to quickly link up play, (and of course Diego when he's in the mood)

Is there a chance he could get the FWA player of the award this year? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Kante bagging the PFA award (really deserves it, and you don't often see players in his role get it)....but I'm hoping Eden gets some extra recognition this season. (I would also say the same for Diego as well, who was left out of the PFA team of the year..he's going through a bad patch now but his form back in fall 2016 was one of the main reasons why we were able to build up a strong lead at the top of the table)

He has been Mr. Dependable for us this season...coming on from the bench to score (like in the Etihad game), or starting odd games like this one. Very little playing time, but been absolutely professional and making the most of the minutes made available. Could say the same for Fabregas as well.

A couple of points: Advantage of using left-footed LCB in Ake,---easier to buildup play from the back, and linking with Alonso. No need to resort to hoofing the ball from that side. The only disadvantage from bringing Ake in, that I could see was losing 'height advantage' when defending set-pieces. (Although conceding Kane's goal had nothing to do with lack of height) Batshuayi's link up play gives food for thought. I like he how well he distributed the ball from up front. Well aware of the movement of not only his flanking wingers, but the full-backs as well. And he uses his strength well to shield the ball well. Could be really advantageous in setting up attacking midfielders like Hazard or Fabregas.

Well, now we know from his post match comments. Looks like he was resting them for Tue.

Looks like Ake will indeed be starting

+4 Ashley Cole posted a series of photos of the pair both celebrating and commiserating together Cole showed what Terry meant to him and Chelsea, writing: 'What you have achieved at one club is magnificent. It was a pleasure to play along side you: the captain, the leader and the warrior. 'We have shared blood, sweat and tears in that blue shirt. I'm proud of you my friend.' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4421588/Chelsea-legends-Cole-Drogba-pay-tribute-John-Terry.html#ixzz4er2BuOtj Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Bring in JT as LCB or Ake?

I was thinking back to that WHL game in 2010 as well. Back then United were the ones chasing us, and Spurs tripped us up, JT got sent off. Just role reversal atm. And back then, we were trying to defend a 1 pt lead and had to play the penultimate game of the season away to Benitez's Liverpool. If you compare that title defense to this one, we were just about edging it back then (although we were thrashing teams towards the end). Just need to remind the players of the position of control they still have. EDIT: To steady the ship, it would be good to have more leaders on the pitch for the next few games. Right now its mostly Hazard trying to direct and do everything on his own. With Diego in the mood he is in right now, I would go with Fabregas to start the remaining games (even at the risk of losing some steel in midfield), simply because he's another player that tries to take charge.