Chelsea 4-2 Brighton

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

PRE/POST-MATCH DISCUSSION, LIVE CHAT AND ANALYSIS

Saturday 28th September 2024
 Premier League
Stamford Bridge
 3PM UK

[Fulham Broadway 17,332]

We're on a roll now - lets have another 3 points and preferably clean sheet as well  KTBFFH

[Laylabelle 9,536]

Ohhhh league game at home...gotta get that run going

[Mhsc 1,098]

They treat every game vs us like a cup final now, so it will be a hard game for sure, hopefully Maresca has some tactical master class in store

[ZAPHOD2319 4,819]

We will need to be sharp in this game. It is also important to remember they have had some injuries since the beginning of the year.

Matthew O'Riley	Ankle/Foot Injury	See Player Page	09/11/2024	Not Available	Ruled Out	TRACK
Brajan Gruda	Other	See Player Page	06/10/2024	Not Available	Ruled Out	TRACK
James Milner	Thigh Injury	See Player Page	06/10/2024	Not Available	Ruled Out	TRACK
Yasin Abbas Ayari	Illness	Virus	28/09/2024	Currently Being Assessed	50%	TRACK
Joao Pedro Junqueira de Jesus	Ankle/Foot Injury	See Player Page	28/09/2024	Currently Being Assessed	50%	TRACK
Solomon March	Knee Injury	See Player Page	No Return Date	Not Available	Ruled Out

 

Also their young striker that everyone was gaga about has apparently forgotten how to play the game.  

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

Yes but have you noticed he's got it covered for all nations:

He's Irish

Welsh first name

Scottish Surname

and plays in England

[Special Juan 28,141]

No matter what Danny Welbeck scores without fail, at least 1 goal

[King Kante 1,643]

This is actually a big game for us. Wolves and West Ham have been two of the worst teams in the league this season, so whilst we played well and put them to the sword well- something we've admittedly not done for years - we were poor against City and Bournemouth, while we were up and down against Palace. 

For me, the single most important thing I want to see in this game is some sort of control in midfield.  Against Bournemouth, they took control there and play right through us for most of the match. Palace also did this to us in the second half. For me, this has been our biggest issue since the start of last season where tactical teams can move the ball very easily through the middle. 

[Reddish-Blue 2,509]

2 hours ago, King Kante said:

For me, the single most important thing I want to see in this game is some sort of control in midfield.

Brighton are generally well drilled, I wouldn't expect that much control in midfield.  Prediction is a 2-2 draw or we somehow sneak a win at home against them. 

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Difficult game this. Brighton have been very impressive under Hurzeler so far. Very good on the ball but the threat to counter them is there. 

If we show up, compete off the ball to a very high standard and press them well, creating good counter attacking opportunities then we can hurt them. For sure.

Yes we want to be a massive possession oriented team but I think this Brighton team are very vulnerable to transitions so we have to be prepared to expose that. They were also the same under de Zebri. 

Edited September 26, 2024 by OneMoSalah

[King Kante 1,643]

1 hour ago, Reddish-Blue said:

Brighton are generally well drilled, I wouldn't expect that much control in midfield.  Prediction is a 2-2 draw or we somehow sneak a win at home against them. 

This is why I am hoping Lavia is fit. He, imo, is the only one that is disciplined enough to not get dragged about, while his passing is a lot crisper so can break the lines more easily and doesn't require wide gaps to do so. 

[Strike 7,492]

Feel like this team loved playing away from home. Shithousery with the Madueke comment at Wolves, being patient at Bournemouth.

I hope this team doesn't feel the pressure of the crowd at home. 

[Special Juan 28,141]

I feel like this is a really big game, in terms of where we are and our mentality. Confident is high, the results have been good and Brighton are no mugs. If we come away with three points I feel this will be a big mentality shift for the season coming, a 2-0/3-0 would be great.

Stay with Nkunku as the 9, Sancho left and Palmer right, Enzo, Caicedo and Lavia, at the back Cucurella, Fofana, Colwill and Gusto, Sanchez in goal.

[Vesper 30,218]

3 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Difficult game this. Brighton have been very impressive under Hurzeler so far.

only 1 truly shit game so far (the nil nil draw at home versus turgid Ipswich, and even there they drew, did not lose)

no losses yet

[Fulham Broadway 17,332]

15 minutes ago, Vesper said:

only 1 truly shit game so far (the nil nil draw at home versus turgid Ipswich, and even there they drew, did not lose)

no losses yet

Shit had no idea they had performed that well - and thats with offloading lots of their best players. 

Still think we're on a roll and can do them though. 

[Vesper 30,218]

Maresca hints at 3 huge changes to starting XI for Brighton game

https://theprideoflondon.com/posts/maresca-hints-at-3-huge-changes-to-starting-xi-for-brighton-game-01j8n2jj3c30

Enzo Maresca has hinted that he might perhaps make a few significant alterations to his Chelsea starting lineup for the Brighton & Hove Albion match this coming weekend. The Italian was speaking after the demolition of Barrow in the League Cup Third Round on Tuesday night. A trio of peripheral Blues have caught the CFC manager's eye and are now on the verge of starting versus Brighton. Which players are respectively on the gaffer's Premier League radar? Will any of the promising group make the XI on Saturday? What will the team and formation be? And which stars of the west London outfit will be omitted from the side should the indication become reality?

Chelsea thrash Barrow in Carabao Cup

A win against the Football League Two club was never really in doubt, even in Chelsea Football Club's peculiar current situation. While trouble, confusion and uncertainty continues to purvey off the pitch, in fairness things are actually beginning to click on the pitch.

Many people expected latest manager Enzo Maresca to clear out the CFC roster a bit, whilst tightening up in-game facets. Along with the Ex-Leicester City man making aspects easier to manage away from the field of play. To be candid, as an LCFC writer as well as Chels', and without seeking self-promotion, I did see this coming with Maresca. He is capable, meticulous and committed.

The Blues are climbing the top-flight table, conceivably with superior performances and organisation than under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine also made strides at Stamford Bridge and beyond but Maresca seems plugged-in a degree or two more and very focused.

While division progress is made, the English capital side are doing well in other competitions too. They fairly comfortably qualified for the Europa Conference League without too much stress. Chelsea also put five passed Barrow to no tangible response in the EFL.

Blues entertain Brighton & Hove Albion with changes on the horizon

Therefore Maresca even has the reserves unified and firing on all cylinders. The second string unit impressed every spectator with a cohesive and devastating midweek effort. Some of the team were so outstanding that they are now firmly in the boss's EPL thoughts, which is plausibly the season's main focal point. The league certainly should be.

Following the Bluebirds victory, Maresca named a trio deserving of starts in the Prem. You can probably guess which Blues they are before reading the below quote. I imagine the system will be similar; who gets dropped is anyone's guess.

"I’m happy. Happy for Pedro [Neto], happy for Christo [Nkunku] and for Joao [Felix], for all of them. They all deserve to play from the start in the Premier League but they are not playing in this moment. But the way they take the chances when we give them minutes is fantastic. No matter if it’s five minutes, 45 minutes or 90 minutes, they are all ready and this is the most important thing."

- Enzo Maresca

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Edited September 26, 2024 by Vesper

[Vesper 30,218]

Predicted Chelsea XI vs Barrow: Joao Felix starts in 4-2-3-1

https://theprideoflondon.com/posts/maresca-hints-at-3-huge-changes-to-starting-xi-for-brighton-game-01j8n2jj3c30

Chelsea FC will take on Barrow AFC in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge, marking the first meeting between the two sides since their FA Cup clash in 1948 when the Blues ran out 5-0 winners. Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate heavily. With a busy fixture schedule ahead and numerous first-team players needing rest, this cup tie provides the perfect opportunity for fringe players and academy prospects to step up. Here's a projected lineup based on recent trends and Maresca's pre-match hints.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Filip Jorgensen

Maresca has made his squad rotation plans clear, designating Jorgensen as the goalkeeper for cup competitions, while Robert Sánchez remains the Premier League starter. The Danish keeper is expected to be in goal against Barrow.

Right-back: Josh Acheampong

With Reece James injured and Malo Gusto just returning, the highly-rated academy talent Josh Acheampong could earn his first senior start. Many fans have been calling for the young defender to get a chance, and this cup tie presents an ideal opportunity.

Center-back: Benoît Badiashile

Despite recent poor form, Badiashile is expected to feature in this cup fixture, with Maresca offering him a chance to regain confidence. In his pre-match press conference, the manager indicated:

“Benoit is working well, but Premier League minutes have been hard to come by. It’s not about poor performances, but tough decisions need to be made."

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2024 by Vesper

[NikkiCFC 8,334]

Only James out. 

[Special Juan 28,141]

Lavia back is great news

[nyikolajevics 2,702]

Maresca also announced that Nico and Nkunku won't start together, it'll be the one of them. (must be Jackson then).