Closed Chelsea v Basel

[Jase 43,479]

Erm guys, Ramires is suspended for this game. Remember that sending off in the Super Cup? The suspension carries over to the Champions League.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Erm guys, Ramires is suspended for this game. Remember that sending off in the Super Cup? The suspension carries over to the Champions League.

In that case i would give MVG a chance to shine alongside Mikel.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Really hope that MVG gets a start.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

MVG, WILLIAN, KDB, ETO AND MATA MUST START

HAZARD, COLE MUST REST

[The Skipper 20,593]

strikers are supposed to score, none of ours can. not even 5 yards out and into an open goal. link up play and all the wonderful football jazz is secondary.

You think a lethal finisher like Eto'o can't score because his finishing was off in one game? You've decided to completely write him off after one game, that's atrocious IMO.

At least give him a few games. He got into great positions and on another day could've easily grabbed a brace and his link up play was excellent and created clear cut chances (i.e. Schurrle's sitter).

You really need to relax.

[NishC300 1,865]

Let's give 'em a thumping!

[didierforever 7,349]

You think a lethal finisher like Eto'o can't score because his finishing was off in one game? You've decided to completely write him off after one game, that's atrocious IMO.

At least give him a few games. He got into great positions and on another day could've easily grabbed a brace and his link up play was excellent and created clear cut chances (i.e. Schurrle's sitter).

You really need to relax.

same thing with torres, same thing with ba. "we need to relax". "it was just one game". "its been just 2 months". "they have been here for only 6 months and have not had much time to gel with the team" , "he got into great positions", "he ll start banging them for fun, just wait and watch"... and so on and so forth.

as for the link up play argument - just does not sit well with me. its not the first time we have played well but lost. we create chances but have NO ONE to finish those chances.

[The Skipper 20,593]

same thing with torres, same thing with ba. "we need to relax". "it was just one game". "its been just 2 months". "they have been here for only 6 months and have not had much time to gel with the team" , "he got into great positions", "he ll start banging them for fun, just wait and watch"... and so on and so forth.

as for the link up play argument - just does not sit well with me. its not the first time we have played well but lost. we create chances but have NO ONE to finish those chances.

I wonder if you'd be saying the same if we signed a Cavani or Falcao and they performed like Eto'o did. You're being so short sighted its unbelievable. If you're going to use Torres and Ba as arguments (both who've played far more games than Eto'o, he's just played one game ffs) then I think it's best we just leave it there.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Erm guys, Ramires is suspended for this game. Remember that sending off in the Super Cup? The suspension carries over to the Champions League.

Essien is definitely gonna play then. Positive

Essien-v. Ginkel

[didierforever 7,349]

I wonder if you'd be saying the same if we signed a Cavani or Falcao and they performed like Eto'o did. You're being so short sighted its unbelievable. If you're going to use Torres and Ba as arguments (both who've played far more games than Eto'o, he's just played one game ffs) then I think it's best we just leave it there.

i am using torres and ba as arguments because there is a trend here.

you take time to understand the philosophy of a team. if etoo's link up play was poor, i could have understood that and given him time to adjust to a new team and teammates. but his link up play was good and his finishing was poor. hence the trend. u dont need time to settle to tap in from 5 yards into an open goal. it could be 1 game, 2 games or his 100th game but that should have been a goal. and cavani/falcao would not have made that mistake, they would not have been so casual. their is your difference.

[Jase 43,479]

Essien is definitely gonna play then. Positive

Essien-v. Ginkel

Essien? Doubt it. Think it will be Mikel and Lampard for the pivot. Van Ginkel on the bench at most IMO.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Essien? Doubt it. Think it will be Mikel and Lampard for the pivot. Van Ginkel on the bench at most IMO.

Is Jose ever gonna play Essien again?

Basel, CL group stage, no Ramires...i'd atleast count on him to come of the bench.

v.Ginkel should be rested for Swindon game.

[The Skipper 20,593]

i am using torres and ba as arguments because there is a trend here.

you take time to understand the philosophy of a team. if etoo's link up play was poor, i could have understood that and given him time to adjust to a new team and teammates. but his link up play was good and his finishing was poor. hence the trend. u dont need time to settle to tap in from 5 yards into an open goal. it could be 1 game, 2 games or his 100th game but that should have been a goal. and cavani/falcao would not have made that mistake, they would not have been so casual. their is your difference.

I see you keep on bringing up the "open goal" he missed - he didn't even miss it so that argument is void IMO. It was a brilliant piece of defending from Barry and Barry deserves the credit for stopping the goal; it really wasn't like Eto'o missed it with no one pressuring him or anything hence why I think you're completely overreacting and completely underrating Eto'o's finishing ability.

Eto'o is one of the most lethal finishers that has ever played, and sometimes you just have an off game in that regard. It happens to every striker which is why I say you can't really say he's useless after one game.

[Jase 43,479]

Is Jose ever gonna play Essien again?

Basel, CL group stage, no Ramires...i'd atleast count on him to come of the bench.

v.Ginkel should be rested for Swindon game.

Essien looks nothing more than an emergency player right now. And if anything, Van Ginkel looks more likely to start against Swindon than Basel on Wednesday.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Essien looks nothing more than an emergency player right now. And if anything, Van Ginkel looks more likely to start against Swindon than Basel on Wednesday.

I meant v. Ginkel should be rested for Basel as he has to start the Swindon game :-)

[Barbara 15,149]

Essien is definitely gonna play then. Positive

Essien-v. Ginkel

Essien isn't even part of the CL squad

I hope we start someone + Marco. I don't care if it's Mikel or Lamps. I'd rather Mikel, but I guess Mou will start Lamps.

this is my preferred lineup

Cech

Azpili - Luiz - Cahill - Cole

Mikel - Marco

Kevin - Mata - Hazard

Eto'o

[Jase 43,479]

I meant v. Ginkel should be rested for Basel as he has to start the Swindon game :-)

Well, your fault then.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Essien is definitely gonna play then. Positive

Essien-v. Ginkel

Essien? Doubt it. Think it will be Mikel and Lampard for the pivot. Van Ginkel on the bench at most IMO.

Essien is not even in the CL squad. So definitely no Essien. It will be Lampard-MVG for sure.