Ryan Fong 2,776 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Wee Baldy Man and Kepa Arrizabala (Like Dave I shortened his name to 'Arri - Harry!) My Brainfart Obviously I cant see why we couldn't play Ampadu. IMHO hes been better than Luiz, Defense wise for sure. Luiz is going to give us brainfarts and I don't think we need to give ourselves any more hassle than we need to. Wee baldy man....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unionjack 7,531 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Just now, Ryan Fong said: Then why you put our gk in the midfield.... Like i wrote - my brainfart! Shoot me please ffs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrExcalibur100 7,124 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 I've never gone into a season more concerned. No reliable goalscorer again the same insane mistakes. If you can't score, you can't win games. Will be lucky to get top 4 this season. Hoping for some Sarri magic but it's not fair on him to expect to paint lemons golden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manpe 10,861 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 I don't think Huddersfield had any players at the WC, so they will obviously be in far better physical shape than the players who just returned. Starting them so early is risky because they will fatigue quicker and that can also be an injury risk. Not to mention they aren't as up to speed with the tactics as the rest, so I think at this point it's best to use them in the 2nd half against tired opponents. CHO merits a start anyway imo, been the brightest player in every game. This game is too soon for Kepa and Kovacic to start too, the lads barely know where the loo is in Cobham. Caballero Azpi - Christensen - Rüdiger - Emerson Fabregas - Jorginho - Barkley Pedro - Morata - CHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYC. 7,542 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Kante is crucial, man. Without him the midfield is too soft and lacks mobility. It's not ideal but he needs to play Think Azpilicueta is Chelsea's solution to a calm and commanding presence in the centre of defence. His lack of height is of course an issue but I'd still play him there. And to be honest, he's very decent in the air. It's not like he's terrible in this area. Finding the right partner is tricky. Luiz and Rudiger compliment him better because their big, strong and good in the air but I just don't trust them. Christensen is the better defender imo so I'd pick him. Alonso offers height and aerial prowess and experience, but he'll always be exposed because he's so slow and he's not a natural defender. Paulo Ferreira for example was anything but quick but he could defend. Playing on the left with Hazard or Callum in front of him makes it even worse as they both don't offer much protection. Emerson with his athleticism should cope better. Even though I do prefer Moses over Zappacosta, the latter is in better shape right now and offers more aerial prowess. (That backline is an issue, regardless of who you play. But I prefer calm and clever players in the centre and athleticism on the flanks.) Kepa and Kovacic just got here. Same goes for Hazard who just got back and is still rusty. No reason to rush the process. Caballero Zappacosta - Azpilicueta - Christensen - Emerson Kante - Jorginho - Barkley Pedro - Morata - Hudson-Odoi Kepa; Rudiger, Alonso; Fabregas, Loftus-Cheek; Willian, Giroud That's what I would go with but it's whatever, we'll see who'll play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bosnian Blue 2,471 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 This may be an unpopular opinion but for me the kid Ampadu is our best centre-back at the moment. Obviously he wont play, but just because hes 17 and not 24 for example. Similar goes for Odoi who was by far the best player in pre-season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman60 1,343 Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Well guys, i hope to be watching this game somewhere off the Greek coast on board a cruise liner Talk to you all in a week, but until then KTBFFH. Com'n the Chels, we owe this mob a beating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshow Luiz 2,310 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Silly season over. What do people have as predictions? I'm going for 0-0 or 1-1. We're not there yet and we're not playing our best XI (highly doubt it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unionjack 7,531 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 1 hour ago, Sideshow Luiz said: Silly season over. What do people have as predictions? I'm going for 0-0 or 1-1. We're not there yet and we're not playing our best XI (highly doubt it). I might be slightly hazry right now but even with us still breaking in the evolution and a misfireing striker I'm hoping the lads are going to be in the mood to make a point and I'll go with a 2-0 even tho we haven't scored more than 1 yet. Its Huddersfield for fuck sake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unionjack 7,531 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 The lads training pics PICTURES: Kovačić, Arrizabalaga join Chelsea training for first time The hard work’s just beginning https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2018/8/10/17672876/pictures-kova-i-arrizabalaga-join-chelsea-training-for-first-time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Fong 2,776 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 This may be an unpopular opinion but for me the kid Ampadu is our best centre-back at the moment. Obviously he wont play, but just because hes 17 and not 24 for example. Similar goes for Odoi who was by far the best player in pre-season.Pretty sure it’s a popular opinion just folks are too shy to express it. Based on preseason matches I think Ampadu is more ready than Christensen. Rudiger & Ampadu would be my pick for the match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbluewillie 1,930 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 4 hours ago, Sideshow Luiz said: Silly season over. What do people have as predictions? I'm going for 0-0 or 1-1. We're not there yet and we're not playing our best XI (highly doubt it). 0-1 but fuck knows who's going to score the goal, maybe an OG lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El P. 1,354 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 47 minutes ago, bigbluewillie said: 0-1 but fuck knows who's going to score the goal, maybe an OG lol OLIVER GIROUD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
communicate 2,703 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 13 hours ago, manpe said: Fabregas - Jorginho - Barkley There is no way we can start with that midfield 3. Defensively we will suffer too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unionjack 7,531 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 I dont understand why Bats hasn't been kept on )taking it for granted his loans going thru) Sarri must have watched some previous tapes or his staff have given him some idea about him. A shame tho as he might have done good in this squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manpe 10,861 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 14 minutes ago, communicate said: There is no way we can start with that midfield 3. Defensively we will suffer too much Perhaps, but it's Huddersfield, they finished 16th last season. But true there are no easy games here. Kante is not human anyway, could make an exception for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superblue 6,372 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Of all the late starters, Kante is the most important in my opinion to start this game seeing how easily our midfield can be played through the press currently. This will obviously take some time to perfect and Kante as a result is more important than ever for the legs in midfield to track back. For all of Jorginho's abilities he's not the greatest in the defensive aspect. If Sarri feels Hazard is ready play him too but I have a feeling he may be on the bench to come on for the last half hour and be readied instead for the Arsenal game. The other key area for me to be cautious with is left back. If Sarri prefers Alonso over Emerson which he seems to at present, then for me Rudiger needs to play as the left sided centre back. We need our quickest defender on that side to cover Alonso. Luiz isn't as quick as he once was, and that City game (I know the other teams week in week out are not at that level) highlighted that Luiz and Alonso on that left side could hinder us a lot in the early part of this season if Sarri continues with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akgw13 867 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Sarri mentioned when the WC players came back we can afford 1-2 in the XI. It is the first game of the season, Hazard & Kante simply have to start for me. Hazard might even be playing his first game as Captain. Smash them early and take them off at 60-75 mins. Pedro has been our best (senior/CHO has been but plays left) attacker and plays the right side, I think he starts ahead of Willian. Prediction: 3-0 Chelsea. Goals: Morata, Hazard, Barkley. I'm feeling optimistic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted August 10, 2018 Author Share Posted August 10, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pizy 18,994 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 I would bring Hazard off the bench as a spark. Give him another week of training before he starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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