Closed Basel v Chelsea

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Apparently Cahill could be fit for this one which is good because Luiz needs a rest.

[Ollie 4,400]

Basel are better than some teams that we've messed up against this season and this is also the biggest game in their history, far from our biggest. They'll be well up for this, much more up for it than our lot will be. I'm not expecting an easy tie at all, far from it. I dunno how anyone can be confident watching this Chelsea team. The term 'Hot & Cold' is an understatement compared to us. I wouldn't confidently back us to beat anyone atm.

[Jase 43,479]

Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole train ahead of Chelsea's match with Basel

Both players trained at Cobham , along with Oscar who suffered a minor groin strain in Sunday's draw at Liverpool, but it remains to be seen whether the interim manager, Rafael Benítez, considers the pair ready for a return to competitive action. Cahill is the closer of the two and may fly with the team to Switzerland, though Cole is expected to remain behind and may be considered instead for Sunday's visit of Swansea to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea seek to ease him back in.

And this funny bit.

Branislav Ivanovic will travel after being bitten by Luis Suárez at Anfield on Sunday, with the Swiss club's coach, Murat Yakin, joking he hoped the Serb "does not come to Basel suffering from rabies".

[Beepu 1,714]

Play Marin, Benayoun please. Rest hazard and mata for swansea. Anybody actually excited about this match, i know we should always be excited for chelsea matches but i really just want to get this over with.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Cech

Azpi - Iva - Luiz - Bertrand

Mikel - Lampard

Mata - Oscar - Hazard

uselessblondecunt

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Play Marin, Benayoun please. Rest hazard and mata for swansea. Anybody actually excited about this match, i know we should always be excited for chelsea matches but i really just want to get this over with.

HAHA.

You want us to lose this game bigtime? I would be shocked if anyone of them started.

Id say play a strong team and when/if we get control of the game, we can make subs. We shouldnt underrestimate Basel. They are really good.

[Jase 43,479]

HAHA.

You want us to lose this game bigtime? I would be shocked if anyone of them started.

Id say play a strong team and when/if we get control of the game, we can make subs. We shouldnt underrestimate Basel. They are really good.

That's what Benitez will do because he wants 'troffees' over Top 4.......

[Jase 43,479]

We get a referee from Czech Republic - Pavel Kralovec - for this game. His last officiating in European competitions was Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bayern. English teams record with him in Europe - W3 D3.

[Beepu 1,714]

HAHA.

You want us to lose this game bigtime? I would be shocked if anyone of them started.

Id say play a strong team and when/if we get control of the game, we can make subs. We shouldnt underrestimate Basel. They are really good.

No i dont want us to lose, I dont want our key players to get tired. I know we shouldnt underestimate anyone, Marin benayoun and moses doesnt look to good but id rather not fatigue any of Mazacar.

[IkE 267]

No i dont want us to lose, I dont want our key players to get tired. I know we shouldnt underestimate anyone, Marin benayoun and moses doesnt look to good but id rather not fatigue any of Mazacar.

Faith my friend, we will win the Europe League and will finish 4th.

[Rupert 130]

While I think Torres should have been rested at Anfield, or brought on towards the end, if necessary, he is well capable of playing on Thursday. He was playing every game before Demba arrived and he is in currently in good form. As long as Mata, Hazard and the others get their game together, Torres will disturb the Basel defence and might score. If we have a good lead it would be sensible to take him off, but there are so few capable of doing the No. 9 position that he might have to stay on. Demba should be able to handle Swansea.

[Kezza 1,965]

While I think Torres should have been rested at Anfield, or brought on towards the end, if necessary, he is well capable of playing on Thursday. He was playing every game before Demba arrived and he is in currently in good form. As long as Mata, Hazard and the others get their game together, Torres will disturb the Basel defence and might score. If we have a good lead it would be sensible to take him off, but there are so few capable of doing the No. 9 position that he might have to stay on. Demba should be able to handle Swansea.

While I think Torres should have been rested at Anfield, or brought on towards the end, if necessary, he is well capable of playing on Thursday. He was playing every game before Demba arrived and he is in currently in good form.

Sorry had to stop reading, I laughed so hard I fell off my dinosaur!

As long as Mata, Hazard and the others get their game together, Torres will disturb the Basel defence and might score.

Please stop, you are killing me!!

If we have a good lead it would be sensible to take him off, but there are so few capable of doing the No. 9 position that he might have to stay on. Demba should be able to handle Swansea.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3155398/title/cole-and-cahill-travel

Chelsea's squad has been boosted ahead the first leg of our Europa League semi-final by the return from injury of Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill.

The two defenders are on the plane that left London for Switzerland this morning (Wednesday).

Cole has recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the home game against Manchester United on 1 April. Cahill underwent a minor knee operation on 30 March.

Oscar, who came off at Anfield on Sunday with a slight groin injury, is among the 19 who have travelled.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3155398/title/cole-and-cahill-travel

Any idea if Ake and Paulo traveled?

[edetarod 2,155]

oh how i wish Mata, Hazard and Oscar would for once work their lazy ass off to track back and defend all game long like Ribery, Robben and Muller did last night

*awaits onslaught*