Closed Stoke v Chelsea

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Ramires and Mikel partnership. We are in for a stressful night.

We looked at our best when Mikel came on during the weekend though.

I think he will do a fine job with Ramires tonight.

[bethos1 802]

He's shown absolutely nothing, nothing whatsoever, to suggests that he deserves a run. Tonight then would be as good a place as any to start doing that. I confess I'm not a believer, to me Baba's looked hopeless but opportunities are there to be taken. Good luck to the lad.

We just need a real fullback and it's not like our other options are doing any better. He's the only LB we have and that's why we should give him a run imo, we need to start playing with real fullbacks instead of playing other players out of position.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Mikel is our best DM. Ramires sucks though.

[mccg 1,528]

I take it Baba is ready then Jose, Stoke away ok then good to know,i have fond memories of Mikel&Ramires midfield duo hope it works again,hope Oscar has a motm performance also,and we get to see Papy lol

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

We just need a real fullback and it's not like our other options are doing any better. He's the only LB we have and that's why we should give him a run imo, we need to start playing with real fullbacks instead of playing other players out of position.

I tend to disagree with that argument, or rather I only agree with a part of it. We do need proper full backs but just because Azpi isn't one, does not mean that Baba is. As I say, I'm a Baba non-believer. My take on his debut was that we might never see him again. He was that poor. Still, that's my just my opinion, other people were more impressed.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

I tend not to agree with that argument or rather I only agree with a part of it. We do need proper full backs but just because Azpi isn't does not mean that Baba is. As I say, I'm a Baba non-believer. My take on his debut was that we might never see him again. He was that poor. Still, that's my just my opinion, other people were more impressed.

Believe it or not but young players actually improve with the more experience they get.

[LukakutoStamford 779]

We just need a real fullback and it's not like our other options are doing any better. He's the only LB we have and that's why we should give him a run imo, we need to start playing with real fullbacks instead of playing other players out of position.

Had a real fullback in Felipe Luis but Jose barely played him.

[bethos1 802]

I tend not to agree with that argument or rather I only agree with a part of it. We do need proper full backs but just because Azpi isn't does not mean that Baba is. As I say, I'm a Baba non-believer. My take on his debut was that we might never see him again. He was that poor. Still, that's my just my opinion, other people were more impressed.

I'm not saying he was great or something but Azpi and Baba are our only fullbacks and we should always play with them. It might be slightly worse for our defence but our attacks will look much better if we use real fullbacks.

[Rhino's Skin 972]

Believe it or not but young players actually improve with the more experience they get.

yup....and this is a good game for him.

Azpi not risked to start ( rightly so imo ) because he is on 4 yellows and we cant afford him picking up another and be suspended for Liverpool.

Chance for Baba

[bethos1 802]

Had a real fullback in Felipe Luis but Jose barely played him.

Yea he fucked up there for sure

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

Ramires and Mikel getting minutes ahead of Rlc Hope to see him i nthe second half and maybe Traoré as well.

[!Hazard! 3,394]

Maybe Baba will provide some width for Hazard so lets hope that Eden will have a season-changing game tonight. Still don't understand picking Zouma though and leaving out RLC makes no sense whatsoever. Disappointed with your selection Jose, yet again.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

Believe it or not but young players actually improve with the more experience they get.

No I don't believe that. I believe that that is one of the great myths of the game. A good young player will become a good experienced one. A poor young player like, Islam Feruze for example, will be poor all his days.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

when is Ivanovic back? i miss that guy.

[MefiX19 1,092]

Guys Jose is giving Azpi some rest, he deserves it.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Urgh ... Why Bayern play AGAIN at the same time as Chelsea ? Then I watch few minutes of organised attack and have fresh comparison which doesn't allow me to enjoy our match.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Urgh ... Why Bayern play AGAIN at the same time as Chelsea ? Then I watch few minutes of organised attack and have fresh comparison which doesn't allow me to enjoy our match.

Bundesliga is a weak league. If this Chelsea side played in that league we might be in top half of the table right now...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Genuinely, some of our fans are so spoiled beyond comprehension.

Matic and Fabregas on this season's form wouldn't get into a championship side, yet some still want to act like it's beneath them to support a team that has Mikel and Ramires in it, despite the fact that both have performed A LOT better in their limited time this season than Matic and Fabregas!

This is no time for arrogance. We're in a real crisis here. During the 90 minutes, get behind whoever has a blue shirt on!