Closed Man City v Chelsea

[mikeholiday 209]

Would love to see Willian own Yaya again,

[DH1988 1,348]

Replace Oscar with Willian and we're golden

edit - I want to win this, ofc I do, but I'm taking it more as a measure as to how far we've come in terms of footballing brains, tactics and our change in direction since last season. If we lose and its not by much or we played very very well then I'd be happy with that.

Keen to see how we fair playing the way we do this season, just without conceding a ton and getting a tonking

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I don't think Oscar should be anywhere near a starter for this game.

And do you have any reason as to why?

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I think Oscar and Azpi will play in this match. They are more fit than others

[Special Juan 28,141]

And do you have any reason as to why?

1. He is not exactly playing well

2. Willian should start ahead of him due to his better work rate and what he offers

3. I'd even consider Ramires before Oscar

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/09/mourinho-conference-live-on-chelseafc-com12.html

Mourinho's presser at 12.30pm UK time.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I just don't want a situation were we're struggling to keep possession of the ball with Man City dictating the tempo and controlling possession with Thibaut thumping pointless balls to nobody in particular. We can't afford to let them control the possession like Everton did, especially with how open we look when the opposition attacks us. At one point in the Everton match, they had 75 % of the ball. That can't happen against City. Aguero, Silva and co will crush us. If we can keep ball possession stats respectable and be patient in our attacking build-up, we have serious chances of getting a draw or a win.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

1. He is not exactly playing well

2. Willian should start ahead of him due to his better work rate and what he offers

3. I'd even consider Ramires before Oscar

1. That's not true. He has not been amazing but he is certainly playing well. Certainly better than anything Willian has shown this season.

2. Willian might have better work-rate but it's marginal. Oscar has tremendous work-rate as well. Certainly more than enough to do a job. Also, Oscar is far more likely to make the right decisions in counter-attacking situations than Willian is. Willian is quicker, but Oscar far more intelligent player with the ball.

3. Ramires' decision making, shooting and awful composure in the final third is laughable sometimes. It was primarily because of this that we wasted so many attacking chances in the reverse fixture last season.

[Jase 43,479]

Here's a stat...or two.

1. It has taken Chelsea only four Premier League games this season to score 15 goals and concede 6. Last season, the Blues only reached the 15th goal mark and conceded 6 in the ninth league game.

2. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League matches that immediately followed after a Champions League game - W11 D4.

[Special Juan 28,141]

1. That's not true. He has not been amazing but he is certainly playing well. Certainly better than anything Willian has shown this season.

2. Willian might have better work-rate but it's marginal. Oscar has tremendous work-rate as well. Certainly more than enough to do a job. Also, Oscar is far more likely to make the right decisions in counter-attacking situations than Willian is. Willian is quicker, but Oscar far more intelligent player with the ball.

3. Ramires' decision making, shooting and awful composure in the final third is laughable sometimes. It was primarily because of this that we wasted so many attacking chances in the reverse fixture last season.

I respect your views, lets wait and see on Sunday.

[stroey 2,525]

And do you have any reason as to why?

Why Willian should start over Oscar:

1) stronger in duels

2) better in counter attacks

3) better at keeping possession

4) better at tracking back

5) better dribbling/take on skills

6) creates more chances

7) higher work rate

[Jase 43,479]

Why Willian should start over Oscar:

1) stronger in duels

2) better in counter attacks

3) better at keeping possession

4) better at tracking back

5) better dribbling/take on skills

6) creates more chances

7) higher work rate

Funnily enough, both of them are almost neck and neck in those attributes you mentioned. Don't think either of them really have the edge over the other on that.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Why Willian should start over Oscar:

1) stronger in duels

2) better in counter attacks

3) better at keeping possession

4) better at tracking back

5) better dribbling/take on skills

6) creates more chances

7) higher work rate

1. Which sort of duels

2. No he's not. He's incredibly rapid but more often than not, he makes the wrong decisions.

3. This is true, but Oscar is more likely to do something useful with it.

4. I don't know how you come to such conclusions. Besides, the right winger will most likely be pre-occupied with Kolarov. Silva does his damage in central positions.

5. So, what does that have to do with anything? Oscar has better movement. Doesn't prove anything. Also, we have a dribbling machine called Hazard if that's what you like.

6. Statistically false claim. Willian doesn't create as much as Oscar.

7. True but Oscar is no slouch.

I can do 7 reasons why I think Oscar should start as well, doesn't prove anything. I'm not against Willian starting but the idea that somehow starting Oscar in this game is some sort of preposterous thought is unfounded. It's not like a case is being made for Salah to start. I'm pretty certain Oscar has achieved more in his CFC career than Willian but that's besides the point.

[stroey 2,525]

1. Which sort of duels

2. No he's not. He's incredibly rapid but more often than not, he makes the wrong decisions.

3. This is true, but Oscar is more likely to do something useful with it.

4. I don't know how you come to such conclusions. Besides, the right winger will most likely be pre-occupied with Kolarov. Silva does his damage in central positions.

5. So, what does that have to do with anything? Oscar has better movement. Doesn't prove anything. Also, we have a dribbling machine called Hazard if that's what you like.

6. Statistically false claim. Willian doesn't create as much as Oscar.

7. True but Oscar is no slouch.

I can do 7 reasons why I think Oscar should start as well, doesn't prove anything. I'm not against Willian starting but the idea that somehow starting Oscar in this game is some sort of preposterous thought is unfounded. It's not like a case is being made for Salah to start. I'm pretty certain Oscar has achieved more in his CFC career than Willian but that's besides the point.

2) this season he is more direct, could've 2 assists against Schalke

3) it's an opinion, Oscar lose the ball more often

4) I've seen Willian blocking many attacks in the big games

5) having 2 dribbling monsters is better than just one

6) I've read on many stats sites that he created the 2nd most chances in our team after Hazard

In big games, I'd always start Willian.

But could you also explain why Oscar should start over Willian?

[Stats 7,145]

Would not be surprised to see both Oscar and Willian out. Preferably I would rather see Willian start as I belive he offers more than Oscar but can see Mourinho looking to go with something like this:

Mikel Matic

Fabregas

Ramires Hazard

Costa

I think this will provide more protection to the team as Mikel always does his job in the big games. Having Matic and Mikel will mean we are more disciplined in defence and not as likely to be as sloppy in defensive mistakes as we have been in the recent weeks. However, most importantly I think it will encourage Fabregas to focus on what he does best without having to worry too much on the defensive side. And hopefully we see Hazard tear Zabaleta apart like he did last season.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

2) this season he is more direct, could've 2 assists against Schalke

3) it's an opinion, Oscar lose the ball more often

4) I've seen Willian blocking many attacks in the big games

5) having 2 dribbling monsters is better than just one

6) I've read on many stats sites that the 2nd most chances in our team after Hazard

In big games, I'd always start Willian.

But could also explain why Oscar should start over Willian?

I'm not making a case for Willian or Oscar to start, instead I'm making a case for why starting Oscar would not be a preposterous idea. I'm not exactly sure why it should be anyway considering his class.

I have no problem with starting Willian. He tends to put in a hard-working, if not spectacular shift in big games and played well last season vs City. But the fact that Jose rested Oscar vs Schalke suggests playing Oscar on Sunday is in his thoughts.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

Oscar vs Willian. Really hard to choose. Both of them offer similar things and both somewhat lack the end product. Their passing in the final third isn't exactly the best, but we have Fabregas and Hazard for that. I think Oscar is better at pressing and in the air, but Willian is faster and will probably defend the wing better. Hmm, this is a really hard choice. And I can't completely disregard the possibility that Ramires will be on the wing with Mikel taking the place next to Matic in the pivot and Fabregas taking #10's. And there's also Schurrle, though I think Jose is unlikely to start him.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I think this will provide more protection to the team as Mikel always does his job in the big games. Having Matic and Mikel will mean we are more disciplined in defence and not as likely to be as sloppy in defensive mistakes as we have been in the recent weeks. However, most importantly I think it will encourage Fabregas to focus on what he does best without having to worry too much on the defensive side. And hopefully we see Hazard tear Zabaleta apart like he did last season.

Last time we tried this Matic-Mikel pivot vs City, we got dominated in midfield and beaten easily. We need a more mobile partner next to Matic, namely Ramires. That pivot will have serious problems dealing with both Aguero, Toure and Silva as they come to more central positions. We will also have trouble playing the ball from the back. Mikel is just far too slow and negative in possession.

[stroey 2,525]

Mikel or Ramires next to Matic, or both?

[edetarod 2,155]

win this and the title is ours to lose