Jase

Uh oh, that may not be good news if we beat Barnsley...

All because of the abysmal handling of the pandemic by the government...

Lampard confirmed Chilwell will be in the squad tomorrow.

The Leyton Orient v Spurs game has been called off due to the positive COVID-19 tests at Orient. Wish those affected recover well but lucky Spurs...

I'd rest Werner for this one. He's played the pre-season game at Brighton, the two Germany games and both league games so far. We have West Brom at the weekend, potentially Spurs next week, Palace next weekend and it's the international break after that. Need to be careful not to overplay him. Champions League games also starting next month.

Lampard also said he will be using the game to build up fitness and that it is harder now to promote youth because of the first team bubble.

According to Lampard, Mendy will undergo the COVID-19 test with the squad on Thursday and as long as he is negative, he will be available for selection.

Chilwell also in the squad. Ziyech and Pulisic not fit yet but getting closer to being ready.

Lampard said Cech was influential in the club targeting and signing Mendy.

Silva confirmed to be in the squad tomorrow.

By the way, it is also ironic that you came after me for believing what was said in The Athletic despite Lampard hasn't said anything about Rice while you are here believing the rumors about Kante even though Lampard has publicly said he won't be going anywhere.

Long balls for Giroud to chase?

It was one comment and one comment only and you count that as bashing? Suit yourself.

The reason why I said it is your agenda because you are the only one who keeps on going about it here, about selling Kante even though there are no substantiated rumors about the interests. I am inclined to believe that Conte wants Kante at Inter but (a) we reportedly turned down their bid some weeks ago, (b) Lampard publicly said he is not for sale - and if we were to sell him now, what kind of message will that send to the others? - and (c) Inter are trying to comply with Financial Fair Play and they cannot go spend big unless they sell someone for big money. Martinez was the only one they could sell for big money to Barcelona but even that has gone quiet while Barcelona are trying to sort their mess out. Plus, Inter have just signed Vidal from Barcelona. As for Kante to Arsenal...do you really believe that? I think that came from some random Twitter fella yesterday and again, there is nothing substantiated over this. As for Jorginho, I never said "he is wanted by Lampard". I only said it is all rumors talk about selling him and there is nothing substantiated. Between Kante and Jorginho, I am definitely way more open to selling the latter than the former but unfortunately ever since Sarri got sacked by Juventus, there has been nothing about clubs in Italy wanting to buy Jorginho. Roma were mentioned briefly some weeks back but nothing has happened. So really, who are the takers for Jorginho out there? Also and we spoke about this before, let's say if we sell Kante and buy Rice, then Rice will be our only midfielder with a defensive nous in the team. Is that a wise decision to have only one? We definitely need depth with the defensive minded midfielders and given we have constantly moaned about our defensive failings, we would be much better off with Kante, Rice plus the other midfielders - with one sold obviously and ideally Jorginho - than Rice with the others and Kante gone.

The handling of COVID-19 in England is a joke...

There needs to be progression first, doesn't it? Everyone associated to Chelsea wants Lampard to succeed but if there is no progression, if we don't close the gap at the top, if we are still inconsistent as ever, then I think questions will have to be asked come end of the season especially after the summer investment.

CAN WE GET FABREGAS BACK INTO THE TEAM!?

Exactly why some people are concerned. Having a big squad is one thing but the manager needs to know who he wants and does not want and what is his best XI and who are the backups. Jorginho, for example, looked to be out of favor after the restart last season but is now suddenly back in favor(?). We cannot be in a situation months down the line where we still don't know our best team, best system etc.

A question, why can't Havertz be used as a No.10 now and flanked by Mount and CHO for example? The Havertz situation is also different to Pulisic last season. Havertz is at least getting game and looks set to continue getting it while Pulisic started and got dropped to be eased in. Havertz's versatility is useful but is it useful that he is being moved around so much when he is still in that development age? Will it help him to settle into the squad, the league etc? Plus, I think people want to see what he can do and want to see him contribute to the team in a positive manner because so far, it has been average at best. He almost played like an auxiliary full back at Brighton and was treated like a target man against Liverpool. It's only two games I know but that just feels like an incredible waste for someone of his talent.

Yeah but shouldn't the manager know better? Shouldn't the manager at least know who he wants and doesn't want?

Funny thing is, even with the absentees, we actually still have enough options for now, for example, to play Havertz as the No.10 with Mount and CHO as the wingers but that didn't happen in any of the two games.

The new signings aside, shouldn't Lampard already know who is shit and who is not based on last season?