Chelsea vs Fulham

[millzy_chelsea_fan 4]

TEAM NEWS: Chelsea V FULHAM

In a much-changed side, Yury Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira and Salomon Kalou all start.

Zhirkov is at left-back with Ferreira on the right. Carvalho returns in central defence in place of Alex.

Michael Ballack is back in midfield with Joe Cole at the front of the diamond, John Mikel Obi and Frank Lampard completing the quartet.

An all-Ivorian strike partnership will take the attack to Fulham for the last time before the African Cup of Nations.

The visitors make one enforced changed. Centre-back Brede Hangeland is out injured so Chris Smalling comes in.

Chelsea are expected to line up in the following 4-diamond-2 formation:

1 Petr Cech

19 Paulo Ferreira

6 Ricardo Carvalho

26 John Terry ©

18 Yury Zhirkov

12 John Mikel Obi

13 Michael Ballack

8 Frank Lampard

10 Joe Cole

21 Salomon Kalou

11 Didier Drogba.

Substitutes: 40 Hilario, 2 Branislav Ivanovic, 33 Alex, 3 Ashley Cole, 35 Juliano Belletti, 44 Gael Kakuta, 23 Daniel Sturridge.

Fulham are expected to line up in the following 4-4-1-1 formation:

Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Smalling, Konchesky; Duff, Murphy ©, Baird, Dempsey; Gera; Zamora.

Substitutes: Zuberbuhler, Kallio, Etuhu, Riise, Greening, Nevland, Johnson.

The referee is Andre Marriner.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

After seeing that team I now feel rather depressed , not usually pessimistic and I hope Im proven wrong but Pualo Ferreira , Ballack and Kalou all in the same team !

Zhirkov should be on the left , Sturridge should be in the starting line up and anyone else should be at right back , Id also have prefered to see Alex in the side today to deal with Fulham's aerial threat.

[Alee. 182]

a) Why is Zhirkov LB again

b ) Why are we starting Kalou when we can give time to Sturridge / Borini

c) Why is Borini not on the bench even

d) WHY are we starting Mikel instead of giving someone practice as DM so they can cover during ACON.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Alee.

[ruggedknot 105]

Just saw Jose sitting in the owner's box. I wonder how many fans are out there who'd want him back.

[Steve 10,227]

Interesting squad not too sure why Ivan has been dropped to the bench.

[DesmoD 0]

fuck!!! I expected to see Zhirkov at left in midfield! but he again will play in defense!   

[ruggedknot 105]

Interesting squad not too sure why Ivan has been dropped to the bench.

Giving him a breather? The guy has been playing out of his skin and has been for a while.

[Steve 10,227]

Correct, but we could of used him in a high pressure game against a london rival.

[Steve 10,227]

Players about to come out the tunnel. Come on Lads, lets get the win

[Steve 10,227]

Another reason Ivan may have been dropped for this game, is because jose said the only players he doesnt know is Ivan and Anelka. He is in the Stadium.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Steve.

[diskoviolente 425]

Duffer back at the Bridge....

[gary gordon 1,777]

Is Carlo for real? Ashley Cole and Ivanovic on the bench! Whats he resting them for? New Years Eve piss-up

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

We desperately need a win to stop the rot and to get our stuttering campaign back on track.

Heres a decent link if anyone needs one.

LINK

[Steve 10,227]

COME ON Chelsea!!!

[Steve 10,227]

Game underway, come on lads.

[diskoviolente 425]

anyone with a non-racist-stream ?

[gary gordon 1,777]

anyone with a non-racist-stream ?

lol

[Drogba11CFC 108]

We're underway.