Randy36

Mourinho needs to wakeup and smell the coffee following the Basel fiasco. Due to his lack of playing time Mata is fresh and ready to start against Southampton.

Cech Ivan Cahill Terry Cole Ramires Mikel Mata Oscar Hazard Torres

If Mourinho intends to start Lampard perhaps he'll switch to a 4-3-3 formation Cech Ivan Cahill Terry Azpi Ramires Lampard Mikel Oscar Torres Schurrle

Looking forward to the game against Basel. A win will assure us of topping the group. Luiz is out with an injury and Torres is back in training. Cech Ivan Cahill Terry Azpili Ramires Mikel Willian Oscar Schurrle Torres -

Excellent result. Much needed performance. Mikel, Oscar, Lampard and Azpi stood out. Onwards and Upwards, Chelsea.

Chelsea Form 3W 2D 1L West Ham Form 1W 2D 3L Chelsea Away Form 1W 2D 2L West Ham Home Form 1W 1D 3L Prediction: West Ham 0 Chelsea 2.

Mourinho needs a new striker in January and Diego Costa would be an excellent choice. As Atletico Madrid are interested in signing KDB why not make a deal an offer them KDB in exchange for Costa?

If KDB wishes to get more playing time he should look to play for another club. Hazard was out of line with his comments as KDB's future should be decided by the manager. My advice to Hazard is to keep his mouth shut and avoid the wrath of Mourinho.

I don't buy into the November so called curse. If we win our next game against West Ham we will finish November with a 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. We start December against Southampton a tough nut to crack and then we play three of the bottom clubs. Roll on December. I believe by the end of December we should be close to the top of the league.

Ibrahimovic is my choice as he's a more well rounded striker than Lewandowski. However neither will end up at the Bridge as Zlatan will more than likely remain in Paris and Lewandowski end up with Bayern Munich.

Schurrle is the type of player Mouriho likes - excellent work rate, combined with pace and technique. He is a good finisher who will improve as he adapts to Premiership football. I predict a bright future for him with Chelsea,

I would love to see Josh make it with Chelsea but sorry to say he has not lived up to expectations. He is in dire need of Premiership football and will possibly make it with a mid-table team.

From his previous experience with Real Madrid, Mourinho may decide to give some of our youth players the opportunity they need to develop. The 20 year old Thomas Kalas is one who comes to mind. The 6ft 2in defender made his senior international debut with the Cech Republic in Nov.2012. Mourinho has hinted he could be one of the players kept in the squad. The 19 year old Thorgan Hazard, Eden's brother, is another to watch out for. Anderlecht are keen to keep him on loan but Mourinho may decide to keep him. The 18 year old Nathaniel Chalobah spent last season with Zola at Watford. He is a central defender but was used as a holding midfielder at Watford. He is another player Mourinho might want to ease into the first team.

Thanks, Chippy. It should be in the West Ham thread.

This is a London Derby with "banana skin' written all over it. Will be more than satisfied with a 1-0 win. Cech Ivan Luiz Terry Azpili Ramires Mikel Wilian Oscar Hazard Eto'o

http://www.thinkfootball.co.uk./archives/12616 Tactical Analysis: What is Branislav Ivanovic's best position for Chelsea? Interesting article.

Bran Ivanovic is one of the best defenders in Premiership football and is underrated at right back. Despite being more defensive oriented he provides a key role in attack on the right. He has been excellent working down the right flank with little defensive cover in front of him. Although capable of playing centrally he is Mourinho"s best option in the right back role. Bran is a future Chelsea legend.

Now that Suarez and Coutinho are back Rodgers is tinkering with his formation to suit both players. Playing Suarez alongside Sturridge with Coutinho in the hole puts Moses in a spot. I doubt he has the tactical discipline to fit into Rodger's current system. Unless Rodgers switches to another formation it appears Moses will be confined to the bench.

When he was with Shakhtar, Willian was usually deployed on the left wing. This allowed him to get forward and cut inside when the fullbacks were pushing up to provide width. He also tracked back to defend which Mourinho requires from his creative players. He has been used in the number 10 role when required. He is a versatile footballer who can play anywhere across midfield. I don't see Moses returning to the Bridge and predict a bright future for Willian with Chelsea.

Mikel is the most underrated player in our club. I have never understood why he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He is our only defensive midfielder, good at tackling, intercepting, keeping possession, passing and aerial dominance. His main job is to protect the back four, win the ball back from the opposition and leave the scoring to Torres et al. Michael Essien was used as a defensive midfielder but was wasted in that role because he is essentially an attacking midfielder who is now past his best, Mikel controls the midfield better than Ramires and his passing is 92% compared to Ramires 87%. He gives Ramires plenty of scope to move forward in attack. He may not be the most attractive player to watch but he is the best in the Premiership at what he does. He plays the Makelele role - protect the back four and leave the scoring to others.

I expect Mourinho to persist with Oscar in the number 10 role. His ability to break on the ball, score goals and create chances make this his best position. His strong defensive contribution and his ability to influence the attacking side of his game are what Mourinho expects from our number 10. There is no doubt Jose appreciates a midfielder who tracks back and puts in a good shift and Oscar is his man for the job. I am looking forward to marked improvement and a bright future for Oscar with Chelsea.

It's obvious Mourinho intends to use Oscar in the number 10 role and Mata is struggling to make the first eleven. Jose wants a player to drop back and help the team in transition and sees Oscar as more capable than Mata in that role. He wants Mata to play on the right wing, cut inside and help out in defence. If he can get the best out of both players in those roles then the team will start to click. It's a tall order and only time will tell.

Mourinho has two options regarding the keeper situation. He either takes the bull by the horns and tells his world class keeper he will be debunked next season Or throws in his support behind Cech and puts Courtois up for sale. Cech still has plenty to offer at the highest levels and is good for another decade at the top. Writing him off is dangerous and could lead to dressing room disharmony. I don't see Mourinho parting with Cech.

With the plethora of attacking players we now have at the Bridge it is most unlikely Moses will return. I doubt Mourinho is still interested in him.

Willian is more than capable of opening up stubborn defences!