Closed Man City v Chelsea

[CHOULO19 24,332]

‘Normally if you want to rotate or give a chance to other players you don’t do that in big matches,’ Jose explained. ‘You try to be as stable as possible and play with the players who have stability in the team. If everything goes well I’ll start today with Cahill and Terry, I won’t start with Zouma for the first time.’

That puts an end to all the expectations of change in the back 5.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

‘Normally if you want to rotate or give a chance to other players you don’t do that in big matches,’ Jose explained. ‘You try to be as stable as possible and play with the players who have stability in the team. If everything goes well I’ll start today with Cahill and Terry, I won’t start with Zouma for the first time.’

That puts an end to all the expectations of change in the back 5.

Where did that rumors even came from lol? Obviously he would never change the system unless we are constantly getting thrashed 4-0.

[Nero 1,875]

Key battle IMO:

this is my video

[Dion 2,476]

Just came back from my graduation party and I'm absolutely wasted. Going to bed right now and there's no way I'm waking up in 5 hours. Leaving here some good vibes for the game and hoping for a win. Let's go blues! We can do it!

[Namika 922]

It's bound to be Eden time.

[Jase 43,479]

Spot the odd man in here...

[Namika 922]

Spot the odd man in here...

GERMAN MESSI IS BACK.

[zyzz 711]

Actually I'm more concerned about mike dean than city. Anyway, bring it on. :blue scalf:

[bethos1 802]

I really hope we will start with Luis as our LB.

[Billy. 2,742]

think this will be a draw

[LeonDavis23 371]

boring nil all draw

[LAM09 7,056]

We need to defend much better today, as we have been all over the place defensively.

[Daniel1980 1,425]

think this will be a draw

Think many will be pretty happy about it unless we're winning and concede closer to the end of the match. That always makes a draw feel worse.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Disagree. Willian in Fabregas' position would help dominate and provide that extra energy in the midfield - something he did brilliantly in the 1-0 win last season.

Where to hide play Fabregas in the big games is going to be the biggest tactical headache of the season.

But I can't remember a game where willian has played centrally has helped us, especially defensively. And on the offensive it has been against the smaller sides and we tend to have the majority of possession.

Now, he is used to playing right and provides great cover for fullback with the energy to get forward. Fabregas in that position has the most freedom in the pitch I reckon, negates his weak defensive positioning in which we will need in abundance this match but let's him drop as deep as he wants for the ball.

[Term-X 7,891]

Hope Mourinho goes for it like at the Etihad last season, we won't drop as many points this time around against the minnow sides; so this game isn't as important as it was last season.

[lionsden 4,689]

8 points is a lot, they will have to try and catch us for a long long time just to get near us. When all the other big teams are already 5pts+ behind us as well, a win here will be hugh i reckon.

No it isn't, not this early in the season. City were trailing utd by 8 points with just 6 games to go in 11/12 and we know how that ended.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Losing would not be the end of the world.

In fact u would say atleast a point and it's a success, you won't win every game and this is one of the most difficult. Take atleast a point, keep them from gaining three.

[DanishBlue 426]

I would be happy with a draw.

We will surely go for a 4-3-3 with Ramires or Mikel in the team. No chance that Mou only plays Matic and Cesc against Yaya and co.

[Barbara 15,149]

‘Normally if you want to rotate or give a chance to other players you don’t do that in big matches,’ Jose explained. ‘You try to be as stable as possible and play with the players who have stability in the team. If everything goes well I’ll start today with Cahill and Terry, I won’t start with Zouma for the first time.’

That puts an end to all the expectations of change in the back 5.

you took his words out of context, Chou.

I'm not saying he'll change, but he's talking about 'giving chances to other players you don't do'. He's talking about Zouma, Salah, Ake, etc...

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Luís started ahead of Azpili - because Luís isn't a player who he's going to give chances, Luís is a player he bought for a considerable amount of money and who was a machine against Schalke.

I've never agreed with the idea some here had that he'd move Cahill to the bench... he won't, but I don't think playing Luís would be far fetched... So I don't think our back 5 is as unchangeable as you believe, at least based on these words.

[The_Flash 1,144]

Is Costa playing?