Strike

In spite of Conte's comments, I am fairly optimistic that Cahill and Cesc will not feature in this game. Drinkwater is back, KANTE is likely back. There are good options at Centre Back. Drinkwater-Kante in midfield would completely change our performance

Courtois Rudiger Luiz Christensen Zappa Kante Bakayoko Azpi Pedro Hazard Morata Bench: Caballero, Cahill, Alonso, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Willian, Batshuayi

Thankfully Drinkwater is back. Kante is coming back. Team would have been run over if Bakayoko and Fabregas were in midfield for that run

Rest them all

That left hand side with Cahill as the Left Centre Back and Alonso as the Left Wing Back. is definitely a weakness that opponents can exploit Bring Christensen in for Cahill and Azpilicueta for Alonso for the next league game. That is the best solution for now

Cesar Azpilicueta - Captain, Leader Legend

Has the team created anything in the second half?

Whatever happened to Avram Grant?

What I like is that whenever the team performs badly, regardless of the result, he comes out saying we need to do better. I genuinely think that the football played by the team is leaving Conte sleepless and he's working to find a strategy that works for this squad. That's the right attitude you want to see in a manager and I will back Conte for the next two seasons. It would be a mistake to sack him

The lack of a backup strike options is hurting the team. Would have loved to have someone decent to call upon today

Between Atleti on Wednesday and City on Saturday, who were pressing high and energetically, wouldn't you think Pedro or Willian who played little or no part in Spain, should start here? Also, when Morata was substituted for Willian, it was too tentative, almost negative for me. I know Batshuayi isn't everyone's good idea of a super sub but he is the best we have right now and bringing Willian on was a sign that Chelsea were there to contain City. At Atleti, the players on the pitch ran their socks off and that showed on Saturday.

Re: Conte and strange team selections. Now that he's had to manage 17-18 players rather than the 13 that consistently played last season, Conte is yet to figure out how to manage the squad. I feel the squad can be rotated better. Particularly utilise Pedro, Zappacosta and Willian better. Also, tactically, teams know what to expect from Chelsea. I just get the feeling he needs to pull another ace out of somewhere or top 4 is the best the club could do this season

Only Andreas comes away with any credit today.

Cesc was definitely playing a freer role than someone in a midfield three. Luiz is suspended, Drinkwater is unfit and Cesc looked tired last night. Only other alternative is Willian

3-5-2 with Eden dropping to Cesc's spot and Pedro playing up front with Alvaro

Fabregas looked knackered. He struggled against City away last season to, apart from one beautiful ball over the top to Costa which got Chelsea back in the game. I would drop him for Pedro

What a refreshing away performance. Apart from the error by Luiz, we were solid and completely shut them out of the game. Created a few good chances going forward too.

I'm interested to see how Conte approaches Champions League games this season. He didn't really have to rotate the squad last year. This time there is good competition for places - Zappacosta/Moses, Willian/Pedro, Bakayoko/Fabregas, Rudiger/Cahill, so I'm interested to see what kind of team he picks today. I think it will be better than the last time the team was away at Atletico when Jose did a shut-out job.

Courtois Azpi Luiz Rudiger Zappa Baka Kante Alonso Pedro Morata Hazard

I dont think so. Of course, there are weak teams but with Roma Atleti and Chelsea Real Dortmund and Spurs PSG Bayern Barca Juve City Napoli I'm looking forward to a few games on there

I disagree. More agile and better movement from Drinkwater but Matic rarely fancied a run He stood behind the line of play and covered the runs made by Kante, and the wing backs.

Doesn't want to be next to Luiz in the dressing room - "Always talking" and Azpilicueta is the teacher's pet. Good stuff

Nice squad depth

There was Chalobah and RLC last season. There was no cover for Moses.

I am lost for words. Only depth added is Zappacosta.