Strike

I would take a draw here. Spurs game more important

Chelsea bench has no game-changers at all: Turnbull, Ferreira, Cahill, Terry, Ake, Benayoun, Torres

Team to face Man Utd: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cole; Ramires, Lampard ©; Oscar, Mata, Moses; Ba. Lampard as Captain and no Hazard. Clearly Spurs game has been (rightly) given greater importance

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Don't get freaked out by some of the replies. Welcome!

Happy Birthday Yossi, said no Chelsea fan ever

Not really convinced about Mikel but that's another issue anyway. Already deviated a little by talking about Modric in the Xabi Alonso thread

Bayern is an ideal example. Ribery and Muller are much better at tracking back than Hazard and Oscar. But yes, that is the model Chelsea should be going for. Relentless in attack but also regaining defensive shape quickly. Also, look at the Bayern midfield - Kroos/Schweinsteiger/Martinez are hard-workers unlike Modric. With the current midfielders we have, we do need protection in the pivot imo.

I love the idea of a pace-demon. It works in the league, especially vs big teams who push up to control the game. Midfielders can slip in through balls - similar to how Walcott usually scores

. His tackling is poor. No strength to speak of. His defensive game is limited to basic closing down. With Mata basically playing as a forward, the pivot needs to be more defensive. I agree with the later half of your point. Playmaking-wise he's a good player. He offers dribbling from deep as well but he wouldn't be my first choice

I get the point but Chelsea are defensively reliant on the pivot and Modric has little or nothing appreciable on his defensive game. The problem is Mata in all this and it's ironic that he's our best player. Mata at CAM does almost no tracking back and so, the midfield pivot has extra defensive duties.

This! Modric would thrive in a 3-man mid. Since we have Mata at CAM, that's not gonna happen

4 points from next 2 games is enough.

Neuer probably didn't see that coming. Should've saved that. Seemed like a harmless volley

Regardless of what happens in the future, a draw would've helped Chelsea.

deep in Clyne's back pocket for 85 mins. 1 long range shot and he's world class.. smh

So when Bale scored the goal, your first reaction was "What a goal!" and not "Fuck this shit"?

4th. Anyway, 2 mins of calculation out of the window right there

i can't take this

Tottenham yet to get a shot on target after 75 mins. What a shit team

If Southampton hold on, then Chelsea need 7 points from the last 4 games and if Chelsea avoid defeat against Tottenham then 5 points will be enough. Hopeful Come on Soton!

Agents Shaw and Cork, take points off Spurs please

Come on Southampton and (can't believe I'm saying this) QPR!