The only place to be

The only change I'd like to see is Luis in at left-back for Azpi. He needs a start and Azpi was a little off his game against Burnley. Beyond that, I'd go with the same line-up. Oscar needs time in that midfield to learn this new role, and that means leaving out Willian and Ramires for this one although they'd be first off the bench for me. Courtois Ivanovic Cahill Terry Luis Matic Fabregas Schurrle Oscar Hazard Costa Having seen us last night, it's probably a much more fluid 433 system but I'll leave it like this. What's exciting is the movement AROUND Fabregas when he has the ball. Just very excited not just because it's the first home game and because it's Chelsea, but genuinely excited to watch us play more of the football we played last night.

So does anyone still think we need to employ an attacking coach?

Yeah I agree. His unwillingness to go outside on his left cropped up a few times and I'd be looking for Luis to start against Leicester. But it's a long season and those three can interchange (as well as Ake) depending on the circumstances.

Great debut. One world-class save, but how many times did he just come for the ball and claim it? Looked solid, caught the ball fantastically but needs to improve his kicking especially to the right-flank.

Shit. Can't score at Stamford Bridge.

I agree. He just makes those runs which defences hate, and he finishes well. Love him.

Important to get a goal quickly and he did that. Should've had a penalty do but his runs are world-class at times. He works hard, fights, holds the ball up and moves it well. He's a striker. I forgot what one of them looked like.

Oscar can pass, tackle and shoot but not perhaps at the level we need from our central creative playmaker. Fabregas can do that. It also means Van Ginkel could get some time in there for Oscar as the box-to-box midfielder. I just look at this squad and it's wonderfully balanced in almost every area except striker. There's no real dead wood and we have options in every position. The board deserve immense credit.

My first thought was Oscar was poor, but he worked hard and with Cesc in the team there's less pressure to be 'creative'. At times the spacing between Cesc, Matic and Oscar was terrible but that'll improve with time. Oscar's job might simply be to facilitate Fabregas.

That assist was one of the best passes you'll ever see. Vision, touch and disguised beautifully aided by a fantastic run from Schurrle and Costa pushing the defence back. He's something we've been lacking for a while.

What a surprise....when he has players making runs for him he actually gets forward well. Absolutely fantastic in defence and attack.

Perfect first match of the season apart from the goal. Looked solid for most of it and showed some absolutely beautiful passages of play. The passing from Fabregas was masterful at times, Hazard ran at players, Costa was a threat all night and Schurrle just provides a cutting edge from the right. Man of the Match for me was Ivanovic though. Involved in all three goals, his cross for the first was world-class, his pass for the second was as good and he even took his goal well. He was solid in defence and even managed to smile. Top of the league after one match away to a decent opponent is a great start. We look a team!

How the fuck is anyone in this thread moaning?

That pass from Fabregas was world class, as was the run from Schurrle. The pass from Ivanovic was superb too, as was his cross for the first. Ivanovic has been integral to all three goals. Imagine if he was any good going forward eh?

Fuck indeed.

He finished the season pretty well. We've got a fairly stable defence behind him so why not go with someone who is able to get goals? Mourinho gets criticised for not starting attacking full-backs, but then gets it for starting a goalscoring winger. Can't win. And once again, the alternative is Willian. One more point....Schurrle seems to be great at dead-ball situations all of a sudden. I'm not sure what redeeming features Willian brings to the table. I would say he has nice hair but I'm a fan of Schurrle's bouffant style quiff.

The amount of games we play he could easily get 30 games. We've got two defenders on the bench which isn't normal for us I think, plus an injury to one of the AMs puts him in. That's without mentioning that this might not be the best game for him.

Yes probably.

Away to Stoke where he scored two goals. Away to Fulham he scored three goals. Who exactly is the other choice? Willian? When's the last time he started a game and did anything? When's the last time he started on the bench and did anything? He doesn't need to be Ronaldo, he needs to be Schurrle.

Conservative bench. Cover for all four defenders, Mikel to close it out, Willian to dribble at them and two strikers. A sort of planning for the worst and the best. No Van Ginkel because, well why would you? If we're not winning then what does he really offer? Luis on the bench because Ivanovic and Azpi are solid and he can come on if we're looking to attack more. No Salah because if they're defending deep then there's no real room for him to get behind and exploit.

Think that's the team I predicted and wanted. No reason to make any more changes to the back five with Courtois already coming in. Oscar's workrate will hopefully help Cesc and Schurrle has the ability to get a goal. Fucking excited, not bricking it as much now.

Am I the only person chuffed that someone like Bojan is playing in Stoke. He's not a perfect analog for Messi but he's pretty close, so we might finally get an answer to that much asked question. Also on a fairly clear if brisk afternoon in Stoke, Cech made a howler so it's not the be all and end all.

I imagine people would just say he's young but clearly talented and to stick by him because he'll come good in the end.

I think he's talking about the proverbial 'cold night in Stoke' which Cech is proven to be comfortable with... except 58 seconds into this video.

David Luiz played in defence about 3 times after November. His presence is not really a factor, in reality anyway.