Closed Chelsea v Basel

[The Skipper 20,609]

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.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

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

Oops, my bad.

I doubt anyone is gonna get the lineup predictions right for the match.:-P

[Blue Warrior 109]

I expect a swift return to form and a demolition of FC Basle. Rotation could be useful here and its time to put pressure on a few starters. Smash the comfort zone.

[didierforever 7,349]

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.

torres was one of the most lethal finishers before he joined us. ba was the top scorer in PL even when he joined us. so etoo is nothing new. i am not going to get burned a 3rd time.

so the open goal was not etoo's mistake. LOL. seriously?? tell me WC one striker (as u so clearly wanted me to compare falcao/cavani) who would have missed that on his debut.

[LeonDavis23 371]

Mad. Must. Give. Beating.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Here we go again...need a good result and good performance and volia confidence etc.....

Also need to remember the game doesnt stop after 45 mins!!!

[Sheva. 5,373]

Mata won't start for sure. Willian will, probably KDB and then someone else - Oscar.

Azpi should finally start, and hopefully we get to see MVG.

[Jype 6,398]

Cech

Azpi - Cahill - Luiz - Cole

Mikel - MvG

De Bruyne - Mata - Hazard

Eto'o

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Lampard and Mikel for me.

[Sovieticus 743]

Would be funny if Basel stepped up the game and we barely get a win or a draw lol. Imagine the shit storm Mourinho would get.