Chelsea Legend 11

I agree but forcing a replay isn't something we can't control. We will have to play extremely well to best them at Etihad again and very well to get the draw. I hear you though a draw wouldn't be as damning for us as it would be for them.

I love Jose. He's gone too far this time.

winning is contagious around this time and of year so too is losing. Not saying play the strongest XI but surely a very strong side. Cech Brana - Cahill Terry - Azpili Ramires - Matic Schurrle - Willian - Salah Torres

Not underestimating Newcastle. I would play a similar lineup to City Cech Azpili - Terry - Cahill - Cole Matic - Ramires Willian - Oscar - Hazard Eto'o Allow these players to continue the momentum from monday.

We should close this thread on Matic is a boss.

Tactics won that match, the players executed it... Jose is the best trainer, man manager and tactician in the business BAR NONE! Bow down and lick that ass he's gonna lead us to a lot of titles!

Honestly, the only thing that's gonna stop this City team is injuries, I don't think any of those teams pose much of a threat to them. Its not like they are winning marginally, they are battering teams right now...

Tough games? against who? They are steamrolling everyone in the Prem... They have tough games against Barca that's it.

Didn't watch the West Ham game but it sounds like they employed RDM tactics vs Barca and got the result. It doesn't mean we aren't playing good football, it means we couldn't put the ball through the eye of a needle. City will be VERY different! They are scoring at will it seems. I don't think it would be wise to play for a draw, I think we need to play to win because City will almost assuredly score at Etihad. Cech Azpilicueta - Luiz - Terry - Cole Matic - Ramires Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard Eto'o I left Willian out because we need an impact sub this game and he seems the most likely candidate. I can't predict a scoreline but hoping for a 2-1.

In our system he would initiate the counter not join them.

Or the return to 4-3-3? Perhaps 4-4-2? 4-4-1-1? Its options. If we have a chance to grab Toni Kroos we'd be stupid not to, it would make us EXTREMELY hard to prepare for and even harder to play against. I would love this about as much as I'd like to have Pogba. Sounds like a ploy to get a bigger contract though

Nah you pretty much named them all in his three years... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

I would prefer a midfield 3 of Mikel - Matic - Ramires. There is no need to play Luiz in midfield now we have Matic here in my opinion. There is nothing Luiz gives us that Matic doesn't. I hear that too. The reason I include Luiz is mainly because he adds more dynamism going forward. Mikel is fine but offers less of a complete game. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

No doubt the business end of the season now. We will need to start rotating players again but the changes should be subtle. Cech Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Azpilicueta Matic - Ramires Willian - Oscar - Hazard Ba West Ham play big ball we'll need big bodies in the squad as well. 2-0 would be ideal.

He's 32 but I agree.

Was at this game and also Man Utd. What an experience. Couple things I noticed with Matic and Lamps was it wasn't really a pivot. I would say Lamps was given license to get forward at will and Matic hung back and cleaned up. At different stages of the game it looked like 4-1-1-3-1 (if that makes sense) or 4-1-4-1. As many have said Matic adds another dimension to the team as a whole. The ball retrieval and tackling is something we've lacked for some time. I like Mikel, he is great at protecting the back 4 but Matic has that and also possesses box to box awareness and skill. I really think we have a nice compliment of midfielders and that Matic - Ramires will be deadly in a few games. Hazard.... Watching this kid up close and personal for the first time has given me a new appreciation for his talent. The TV doesn't lie so for those of you who haven't seen him its as brilliant as it is on TV but his awareness and movement into dangerous areas and vision is next level. That is the stuff the camera can't capture. He pretty much beat everyone on the pitch at least once (had some trouble with palacios), and left more than a mark on the game. He is without a doubt our most indispensable player and every effort needs to be made to keep him. just for curiosity sake I'd like to see Luiz-Matic-Ramires as our three mids against City. Feel like the way to beat them is to crowd the midfield and take away some of Yaya's space when trying to initiate the attacks. I know its ultra defensive but that mix of players, I think, can neutralize what City like to do well.

Clearly missing the point... no surprise.

I'm gonna be honest with you all. This guy is gonna have to work hard to win me over... I am not a fan of prejudice point of views. He will have to do a hell of a lot to win me over. I like what I see on the field but this club is also about how you carry yourself off it.

I have it on VERY good authority that Alex went right into the Utd dressing room straight after the game. What the fuck is he doing there?

Sorry I disagree. Rodriguez looks better for my money. I like Shaw, think he's gonna be a nice player but I have Rodriguez ahead in every category. He looks like a complete LB.

I think this is the sentiment amongst English born Chelsea fans and I get it. Shaw is home grown, decent and a Chelsea fan through and through! What's not to like? Well for starters if the rumoured fee of £30m is true that isn't anywhere near what I'd pay for him

Actually yes he is.

He looks the business wins A LOT of aerial duels for a LB

There's been lots of chatter the last few months about Ricardo Rodriguez being Jose's true successor to Ashley Cole. The 21yr old Left back who applies his trade at Wolfsburg, Kevin DeBruyne's future home, has been in scintillating form all season and now it looks like we could be in for him. I for one would rather we go in this direction, Luke Shaw is severely overpriced and not near as good. Chelsea are in advanced stages of negotiation with #Wolfsburg over leftback Ricardo Rodriguez after agreeing to sell KDB (Tuttomercato) #CFC http://www.whoscored.com/Players/61610/Show/Ricardo-Rodriguez http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIHe9by9tFA

ridiculous statement. When Chelsea were guilty of "ignoring youth" in the past it was in favour of players in their prime years. Jose isn't stupid if Kalas, Omeruo, Chalobah and Ake are good enough they will play. Adding Zouma only gives us more young talent and assets should we need to offload someone to generate cash. KDB is a perfect example of this... FFP changed the way Chelsea go about their business as soon as you guys understand that the better we will all be.