Chelsea Legend 11

Clearly the solution is to start Oscar and get up a few THEN bring on Ramires to kill the game. He hasn't played in weeks there's no way Mourinho starts him now.

Thank you. People talk about the king like he's some rubbish player or worse, Torres! Its clear he's past his best but on his day his physicality can still impact a game... Having said that I think Costa will play

lol

Need a goal from Hazard to cap this off

I'm not so sure. They are better than people give them credit for... We aren't playing with our strongest side and if either Remy or Drogba start, neither have built a good understanding with the squad as yet. I think its gonna be closer than people think, especially if we go 20-30mins without a goal.

Just watched their game against Schalke to get a sense of what they're like, what I did gather is they are a well-organized, hard working team not too dissimilar to Leicester. In that game they played a 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) they sat back for most of the game and set up a nice compact defense that was well organized and hard to break down. I didn't find any one of their players to be highly effective individually, but as a unit they all worked for each other and seemed confident in what the managers game plan. When they did come out they initiated the press just over the half and used their two forwards to great effect here. The last 15mins of the first half was around the time when they started to press so if duplicated we're gonna have to pay attention at the back end of halves. Going forward they don't really have a main threat from what I saw but they will counter attack in numbers with a great deal of pace! They Will cause problems if we allow them to win the ball when we have men committed forward. For Chelsea to win this game they're going to have to play a cautious game and wait for the holes to appear. Maribor have a good bench and will chase a victory if this is still in the balance with 70mins played. This won't be easy, I hate when we have to wait and wait... Gets extremely dangerous. They do look susceptible to diagonal crosses from early crosses. I'd start Luis and drogba... Drogba not only because he's good in the air but also because if Maribor are effective with their high pressing game we'll need to be more direct and didier allows us to set up deep. Id love to say we have too much for them but there really aren't any easy games in champions league. Anyone who wants to watch the Schalke and Maribor game online holler at me. I'll post links.

He looks like he's got a Ramires-like engine but has superior passing range. I like that pretty much every clip is of him running at top speed with the ball at his feet. One to keep an eye on but he wouldn't get into our squad anytime soon... He'd be another Van Ginkel.

Nah... Maka was invisible because his name never ended up on the scoresheet. If Oscar plays like he has now for the rest of the year, he will be HIGHLY visible and a match winner as well. I think the term you are looking for is unsung hero, but even that will be a tough way to characterize a guy who plays the no.10 on title winning squad. Jose and Holland have already said our no.10 needs to provide secondary scoring, Oscar's doing that now.

He made a few timely interceptions but I would say he was the dominating force on the pitch. He did what he always does, played strong and read the game. He looked a bit more lively because Palace tried hard to mark Cesc out of the game and due to that Matic was given more freedom. We had so much of the ball it was hard for him to impact the game to the point where he is MotM. I agree he was well up for it though... Last year he was shit.

Maybe but I thought we were always in control and passing it about like that saves energy for what is a busy week. most of the players played two international fixtures too.

1991.

Yup! So glad he didn't!

I really hate Neil Warnock... what a cunt. at 1-0 we were well in control of the game, he makes it sound like had if not been for the red(s), Palace would've been right in it... eat a dick you ugly piece a shit looking sloth, we never got out of first gear because we never had to... you're shit team was well beat by a team that basically rested itself for a bigger test.

We weren't in scintillating form but that's to be expected after an international break against a gritty team. Thought the tempo of the game kind of showed Jose was thinking about a busy week. The team put in just enough work rate to see out the victory. Would've been nice to see that 3rd goal and have solanke come in. All in all it's just good to come away with 3pts without our main scoring threat in the lineup. It is showing we have lots of goals in the side and can get them from a lot of players. We didn't create too much but I don't think we got out of first gear all game long. Game plan was simple, score early and slow the tempo... It worked to near perfection. Carefree.

He also looked to take part in full training as well. I'd be surprised if he doesn't play, however if he doesn't I'm not too bothered we should have enough to get through them with Remy stepping in. If Hazard, Fab, Matic, Remy, Willian, Oscar can't find a way to unlock Palace?? Sorry just don't see that happening.

Can you please post the article? I am over the quota of free subscriptions for the month.

Dude the past few days have not been good to you... Your credibility has taken a real hit the last few days.

Can we please get back to talking about Reus? As ridiculous as that debate has become its much easier to digest than the claim that Ronaldo isn't one of the greats the game has ever produced. I mean what are you really watching?

Corkism is contagious? I better leave this thread before I catch it.

No you've already thoroughly proven you're a Corky. 'Oh blah di oh blah da life goes on!'

and on the topic of barcelona's style I'm pretty sure they would adjust their style to get one of the greatest footballers ever to play into their XI. the mere suggestion of Ronaldo not getting into any team in any era is so poor for anyone who watches football.

Dude just stop... You're embarrassing yourself mightily. It's not even open for debate. Cr7 is without question one of the greatest footballers of all time. Any suggestion otherwise is either immature or extremely dim

On what planet do you come from where perhaps one of the greatest footballers of all-time doesn't get on the pitch at Barcelona? I don't think I've ever heard a comment more ridiculous than that ever... in any forum... any twitter feed... anywhere.

I think Reus is a great player, he's not the fastest or the most technically sound but as a package he ticks a lot of boxes. if he really is available for £20m in the summer than its a no brainer, you sell Schurrle and buy Reus... If you have to engage in a bidding war and his wage demand is in and around 200k then you pass. Personally I think Aubameyang is the better buy because he has REAL blinding speed and there is no substitute for that kind of pace. He scores too.

They won't lose him for free it'll be at a discount if anything.