Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

[Vytis33 1,144]

[MoroccanBlue 5,297]

On 17/10/2024 at 08:43, TheHulk said:

Drop Madueke for Neto.

This is also something I'd very much like to see. 

Sanchez

Gusto Tosin Colwill Veiga

Caicedo Enzo

Palmer    Nkunku

Madueke                                  Neto

[Vesper 28,801]

Reece James available for Chelsea’s trip to Liverpool but will be limited to one game a week, says Enzo Maresca

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5853115/2024/10/18/reece-james-injury-Chelsea-maresca/

Enzo Maresca says he will only use Chelsea captain Reece James once a week in a bid to help him avoid another injury.

James is available for selection for the first time this season against Liverpool on Sunday having recovered from a hamstring strain suffered during pre-season.

This weekend’s fixture will mark 562 days since James last played a full game in the Premier League. He has started just 19 times for Chelsea in the top division since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, mainly due to the amount of injuries he has suffered.

Maresca said: “He (James) is available, finally he is back. He worked all through the international break. It is good news, especially for him because being injured is not a good feeling.

“It is complicated when you get injury, injury, injury again. It is not easy. You are always looking for a solution. Probably the solution with Reece is the same we are using with Romeo (Lavia) and Wesley (Fofana) in terms of using them just once a week, one game.

GO DEEPER

Reece James is back in Chelsea training. Now he has to prove he can stay fit and find form

“In this moment, for different reasons, Reece’s body cannot play twice a week so one of the solutions is we will try to manage him.”

Chelsea have an intense fixture list for the rest of the year due to their involvement in the UEFA Conference League. They also have an EFL Cup Fourth Round game at Newcastle at the end of the month.

When asked if using James on a minimal basis is just a short-term measure, Chelsea’s head coach added: “In this moment it can be the solution. In the future I do not know, but if we want to build something with him in terms of physical condition, probably the solution is to allow him to go slowly, slowly and then in the future we can use him more during the week. But in this moment we need to think about using him once a week.”

Chelsea have no injury problems ahead of their trip to Anfield, but Marc Cucurella and Fofana are suspended. Ben Chilwell has resumed training after illness.

[nyikolajevics 2,576]

Big big game Today! It's been long since I last felt so hyped before a Premier League round. Would be massive to win. Cucurella and Fofana will be greatly missed though..

 

 

[cosmicway 1,323]

 

[Nero 1,838]

Today is the day!

[Pizy 18,368]

Would be a season defining win if we can pull it off and it would show that we are a serious team now that the other challengers need to respect. 

Going to be all about how our defense holds up from minute 1 when I expect Liverpool to try to blitz us like a bat out of hell straight from kickoff. I’m super nervous. Haven’t been as desperate for 3 points like this in a long time. 

As for the starting XI, I would 100% start Lavia here if we set up with a midfield 2. They’ll ruthlessly target Enzo’s lack of recovery pace if he’s in there. And I would also swap out Madueke for Neto to try to give Robertson a rough time with his constant aggression and pace.

 

[Fulham Broadway 16,844]

Enzo and Arse Slot, both managers, will be looking to make a statement. Whoever comes out on top will be title contenders - however both will say its 'work in progress' after the game.

[King Kante 1,476]

I expect either team to win by two goals or more. Whoever settles wins imo. 

[mkh 273]

Reece 

Edited October 20 by mkh

[Vesper 28,801]

first game all season I am truly stressed before

😥

[zinctek 463]

Just now, Vesper said:

first game all season I am truly stressed before

😥

same i hate playing liverpool! most my family, friends and people i work with support them and they DONT shut up about it 

[Vesper 28,801]

the only two teams on the planet I hate more than the bindippers are spuds and manure

[nyikolajevics 2,576]

Wow, James starts and also Lavia as Enzo dropped. Will be interesting.

[Thor 2,392]

Gone for a very dynamic and physical starting 11. I like it. 

[zinctek 463]

Team to play Liverpool: Sanchez, James, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Caicedo, Lavia, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson

I like that we are playing Lavia, it seems solid in the middle. 

 

Edited October 20 by zinctek

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Lavia and Caicdo. Good.

[zinctek 463]

thinking about it, is james up for this inverted role? he was lost in per season in it