Chelsea Legend 11

Feel like Ramires will start.

http://www.espnfc.com/schalke-04/story/2125956/schalke-say-thigh-injury-will-sideline-julian-draxler-to-2015

Why is everyone so worried? we're undefeated HOME AND AWAY Carefree...

But this isn't what you said is it? you said you'd take a draw right now(which doesn't confirm 1st place) and that a loss would mean we're pretty much out of the competition. That's what you said, I'm not misconstruing anything. Had you said the last part of this post instead of what you said in the previous one there would be nothing to discuss, it was your adamants that losing means we're likely out that many raise objection with and that's why I called it a defeatist attitude. Don't press the panic button prematurely, we all know that a point makes us safe. The point I'm making is a loss only makes attaining our objectives harder, it doesn't make them close to unattainable.

That may have been the case a few years ago but I don't buy that anymore. La Liga has taken the reigns as the best division in Europe right now... The style of play in England allow for more teams to be competitive but I don't think its fair to say La Liga is easier to score in. I go by what the players say, England is faster and more physical, Spain is technical and more tactical. Both produce problems however, in La Liga 9pts separate 1 from 6 meaning the competition is getting a lot stronger than in the past.

Of course! Keep winning games! But to say we're almost definitely out is a weak defeatist attitude and ridiculous when you consider we're the only team in the 5 big European divisions still undefeated in all competitions. Just don't like weak statements like that, we're a very good side and on our day can beat anyone.

Such a defeatist attitude. We have a quality squad and I'm willing to bet that all the teams you mentioned would definitely want to avoid Jose and this Chelsea side in the knockouts. Doesn't matter where you face them, you have to beat them to win the trophy doesn't matter when. Arsenal are shafted because they don't have a quality squad, not because they will likely qualify 2nd.

Them not qualifying will hurt their FFP standing so either way its win-win for me.

In what world is this true?

I admit to being a fan of Arsenal fan TV and FulltimeDevils (its so funny to me) This abomination is so embarrassing. The reporter has no personality and keeps leading the fans down a ugly tunnel with his stupid questioning. Its so simple, "what did you think of the game?" allow the fans to comment on what they saw! Don't go on and on about Rafa and Jose! Utter nonsense.

That channel is SOOOO embarrassing. In one of the interviews the guy said "This is the type of game that defines a season" while saying we didn't score enough.... Are you fucking kidding me? 2-0 win at home to 10 man West Brom defines a season? what about the games against our rivals? LOL This guy doesn't represent Chelsea, he needs to stop embarrassing himself and shut this shit down... So awful

It will be about us once again. If we bring our B game and Schalke bring their A game we still should win. This year, more than any other, I am starting to believe we should win most of the games we play because our quality is just that good. Never felt that way at any other point as a Chelsea supporter, I'm sure I'm not alone either.

No it doesn't but the injuries are piling up.

Wouldn't be smart to buy him now.

Never really understood the notion that pounding a minnow who lost a man early sends a statement out. You send a statement when you go to a rivals pitch and play them off it... West Brom never once threatened and we were more than comfortable seeing out a routine win. On to Schalke fellas...

We do have a very important away game on Tuesday.

Why?

Wisdom was shitting himself all game.

Why are we talking about Barca and Messi after that brilliant game put on by Chelsea? Anyways, thought we bossed it from the first minute to the last. The entire squad looked well tuned and on the same page, we should've scored more but take nothing away from the beautiful football we played today. It was sharp, fast and at times some of the best football I've seen us play. Enjoyed watching them back off and back off for fear of getting ripped, fair play to them I suppose, kept us out when a cricket score looked inevitable. Just hoping we can replicate that performance on Tuesday and carry it on into the weekend... Its all about consistency now.

Ya. I think its time to dead the rumours, looks pretty serious.

Reus was stretchered off????

Not even close to offside.

What do Costa and Berahino have in common? Lol Diego's scored goals in the champions league and has pretty much scored in every game he's played in for Chelsea. Don't make silly comparisons like that. I simply said Berahino isn't on fire. If you look at his goals this year most of them came early on and he hasn't scored in his last two.

Wouldn't say he's on "fire" He's scored 7 goals, 3 pens.... He's doing well but I can't say he's been electrifying 2 against Burnley, 2 against Sunderland...

If we play anything close to our potential they won't be able to live with us. I re-watched last years game that ended 2-2 at the bridge and all I could gather was we were extremely slow in the build up and never really came alive till after they equalized. It looked we took our foot off the gas having played midweek in a champions league must win game. We threatened a couple times but never really broke them down with any incision... Terry and Cahill look completely knackered and JT in particular struggled to contest headers which is so uncommon, he had nothing in the opposition box. The bright spot was Oscar though his shooting was woeful. In the first half West Brom did exactly what pretty much everyone did last year, overloaded our left flank and that resulted in Hazard having a very quiet game and a lot of switches to Brana who never made on decent cross all game( I don't know who he was attempting to hit anyways with Olsson and Reid jumping against Eto'o) Anyways the game plan was poor and we just didn't have any answers. The reason I am optimistic about this game stems from the fact that I doubt West Brom will have the ability to play as compact as they did in that game. We had no out ball and this time we have Costa who can deal with Lescott and we have Fab who will force them to mark him deep. We also have Matic and although Ramires was really good that game he didn't really provide us with a pass that will slice a defense. I feel Matic will boss the midfield and provide that steel to take control of the game. Hazard should have more room down the flank but for me, I'd like to see him utilized more in the CAM role more. If they play 4-5-1 I believe there will be an opportunity for Hazard and Costa to make space for each other different from what we'd get from Oscar in that role. I know it likely won't happen but I would try Schurrle on the left, Hazard in the middle and Willian out right. If it doesn't work we go back to the tried, tested and true, but this formation has loads of direct pace to occupy the fullbacks and open things up for Hazard and Costa. Either way I'm feeling positive that the break was better for us than most and that we will benefit from getting away from the Prem for the two weeks we were away. Batteries recharged now, we're home and ready mentally to carry on the assault... Look for Remy to feature at some point and to make a mark.