Closed Chelsea v Spurs

[stroey 2,525]

I'm not sure why people are so optimistic about Ake/RLC playing after having next to zero match practice with the team..

If Matic/Mikel are not present I wouldn't be surprised to see:

Don't think Mou will drop his topscorer [emoji12]

[iseah100 5,612]

Don't think Mou will drop his topscorer [emoji12]

And one of our leaders.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

RLC? Hasn't barley played more than 10 minutes first team, but SURE stick him in in the Cup final!

tbf, they've played together in the U21 squad I believe, so it might be good for linkup etc.

I honestly have no idea how he's gonna line up for Spurs. But if he plays a Ramires-Cesc pivot we're doomed, any pivot would be better than that.

But I get a sinking feeling that's exactly what he'll do...

[Laugh1ngMan 393]

If we would play Ramires and Cesc in the pivot we would basically be doing an Arsenal. No way Mou is going to set up his team like that.

I'm expexting a proper bus parking match with all of our defenders in the line up and the whole thing will be turgid to watch as a kind of 'fuck you' to the FA for banning Matic

[Azpinator 2,325]

It was funny when people suggested Loftus-Cheek in the last year or so.. but now it's become quite annoying.

When will you people ever get it?

[bethos1 802]

Please no Fabregas-Ramires pivot, I'd rather play Ramires-Ake then.

[DH1988 1,304]

Cesc has not got the pace or stamina to deal with Mason/Eriksen, please start Ake Jose.

[dUMB 189]

Its gonna be like this if you ask me.

Courtois

Ivan Zouma Terry Luis

Ramires Azpi

Cesc

Willian Hazard

Costa

[Chelsea4 1,521]

Tottenham plays 26 againts Fiorentina so they have 2 days to rest we should tako this advantage they will not have enough time to rest.

[Chelsea4 1,521]

Chelsea appaled with the FA decision 2 match ban.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

We might as well give them the League Cup already because without Matic and Mikel we are pretty much screwed

[thekid9 418]

tbf, they've played together in the U21 squad I believe, so it might be good for linkup etc.

I honestly have no idea how he's gonna line up for Spurs. But if he plays a Ramires-Cesc pivot we're doomed, any pivot would be better than that.

But I get a sinking feeling that's exactly what he'll do...

I can see Ake Fabregas

but no way RLC and AKE

[oxfordblues 299]

good opportunity to boo the FA officials

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

I can see Ake Fabregas

but no way RLC and AKE

Haha I wasn't saying he'd do it. Just stating that it has its advantages

[CeleryFC 373]

I think its a case of park the bus and wait for an opening. Don't get caught out.

It might not be pretty but we need a solid defence on this one.

Sit Fab deep, and hope he can get Costa on the end of a few nice balls over the top.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I think its a case of park the bus and wait for an opening. Don't get caught out.

It might not be pretty but we need a solid defence on this one.

Sit Fab deep, and hope he can get Costa on the end of a few nice balls over the top.

I'm not so sure we have the make up of a team that is capable of sitting deep unfortunately. Especially without Matic.

[CeleryFC 373]

I'm not so sure we have the make up of a team that is capable of sitting deep unfortunately. Especially without Matic.

But without Matic its even more important to focus on protecting that back line.

At the end of the day though I just hope that a full week between games is enough to work out a decent strategy.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I can't remember the last time I begged for mikel play a match this much.

No combination in the pivot without Matic or mikel makes me safe. Tottenham press as we used to do last season, fabregas will suffer in the pivot.

Mourinho has to train costa to jump for aerial balls and win balls for us high up the pitch so that we can build from there when being pressured by tottenham pressing.