Posted September 27, 200915 yr The combination of the dismal showing against Wigan and the fact we have liverpool the following weekend may persuade Ancelotti to make some changes for this CL game. The extent of Ashley Cole's injury is currently unknown and he may drop out as a result. Ivanovic may get a game in the centre of defence and Ballack should return to the team. We may even see Joe Cole or Zhirkiv make another start. I also wonder if Hilario will be preferred to Cech to give him some playing time prior to playing against Liverpool.
September 27, 200915 yr It will also be interesting to see who we go with up front too with Drogba out. Isn't Sturridge still injured? If that is the case then we will be starting with Anelka and Kalou...hardly terrorizing, but good enough. In the mid, I'd imagine we'll see ballack back, and maybe Joe Cole. And then Zhirky at LB ahead of Cole Scott
September 28, 200915 yr Ashley Cole, who was forced off before the end of Saturday's game at Wigan with a painful knock to the knee, has travelled with the squad for Wednesday's away match against APOEL. Also in the party for the journey to Cyprus were Joe Cole and Sam Hutchinson who weren't involved at the weekend due to illness. Deco is included for the first time since suffering a calf injury on international duty at the beginning of the month and Daniel Sturridge, who was affected by a more minor problem in the same muscle group last week, is now available. Missing for Champions League Matchday Two are Michael Ballack (calf) and John Mikel Obi (ankle). Ballack's injury kept him out of the Wigan game while Mikel's led to his substitution at half-time. Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa are suspended for the APOEL match but teenagers Fabio Borini and Jeffrey Bruma are involved.
September 28, 200915 yr Also, Alex is out too. But I think that the back line is pretty much picking itself. Also, Cech will be allowed to play, but I think we may just see Hilario in there seeing as he'll need match fitness before the Liverpool game. .........................Hilario Ivan.........Carvalho.....Terry......Hutchinson ........................Essien .........Lampard.............Zhirkov ........................Cole ..............Anelka.......Kalou Turnbull Ferreira Bruma Borini Ash Cole Sturridge not sure who will fill in the final sub position??
September 28, 200915 yr Also, Alex is out too. But I think that the back line is pretty much picking itself. Also, Cech will be allowed to play, but I think we may just see Hilario in there seeing as he'll need match fitness before the Liverpool game..........................Hilario Ivan.........Carvalho.....Terry......Hutchinson ........................Essien .........Lampard.............Zhirkov ........................Cole ..............Anelka.......Kalou Turnbull Ferreira Bruma Borini Ash Cole Sturridge not sure who will fill in the final sub position?? I think Ashley will start, they wouldn't include him in the squad if there was no realistic chance of him playing. Plus, you forgot Malouda.
September 28, 200915 yr Atletic Madrid only got a draw against Apoel so I think we shouldn't underestimate them. At home they are bound to be strong. So I hope we don't rest too many players.
September 28, 200915 yr Cheers Abe, can't beliee I forgot Malouda. Also, I've just watched Sky Sports News who are claiming that Deco is fit to be selected, as you pointed out earlier.. so think we coul see him having a run out from the bench. I'm not as convinced about Ashley starting as you, although I admit it is likely, as I think we might have one eye on the Liverpool game at the weekend. I think we could see Sammy Hutch start and then have Cole brought on toward the end to give him a run and reall test his knee Edited September 28, 200915 yr by mad_mac
September 29, 200915 yr Already running into injury problems with the ageing squad less than 1/3 of the way into the season. If Ivanovic isn't good enough for these games he isn't good enough for anything. Bossy also suspend so if Ivanovic is on the right, Zhirkov is on the left. Joe cole Malouda and Anelka up front with Kalou as sub. Central mid of Lampard Essien and Deco I guess.
September 29, 200915 yr Already running into injury problems with the ageing squad less than 1/3 of the way into the season. If Ivanovic isn't good enough for these games he isn't good enough for anything. Bossy also suspend so if Ivanovic is on the right, Zhirkov is on the left. Joe cole Malouda and Anelka up front with Kalou as sub.Central mid of Lampard Essien and Deco I guess. You think that we'll suddenly switch to a 4-3-3?
September 29, 200915 yr I'm sure Cech will start. He is first choice and Hilario had 90 mins against OPR last week. Good news if Deco is back assuming we see the Deco that started the season not the one that finished last season. I'd expect Ivanovic to play right back and Ashley Cole to play. Cech Ivanovic Terry Carvalho Cole Essien Lampard Malouda Deco Kalou Anelka is my likely starting 11.
September 29, 200915 yr i have one question cant lampard play upfront with anelka instead of Kalouuuuuuuuuuuuuu ?? so we can have joe cole deco essien malouda in midfield Edited September 29, 200915 yr by K.ing
September 29, 200915 yr i have one questioncant lampard play upfront with anelka instead of Kalouuuuuuuuuuuuuu ?? so we can have joe cole deco essien malouda in midfield I think Joe Cole would a better option as a support stiker (instead of Kalou or Lampard).
September 29, 200915 yr i have one questioncant lampard play upfront with anelka instead of Kalouuuuuuuuuuuuuu ?? so we can have joe cole deco essien malouda in midfield That midfield would be a recipe for disaster.
September 29, 200915 yr Good to see Ashley travelling, but I doubt he'll start, and seen as Hutch was excellent against QPR, he may just get the nod ahead of Zhirkov, seen as Zhirkov, I doubt, is fully-fit. A Kalou/Anelka front two will have to do for an hour or so, then Studge or Borini should come on to replace Kalou. Joey may well start this one. ---------------------Cech --Ivanovic--Carvalho--Terry--Hutchinson --------------------Essien -------Lampard-------------Malouda -------------------Joey Cole ------------Anelka----------Kalou Subs: Hilario, Ferreira, Ashley, Belletti, Zhirkov, Borini, Sturridge. Edited September 29, 200915 yr by Ruh Buh Juh
September 29, 200915 yr Was away for a bit. And suddenly we have another game on our hands. Just hoping we get the 3 points and return to London without any new injuries. Hoping to see Hutchinson start as Ashley remains a doubt, doesn't he?
September 30, 200915 yr i have one questioncant lampard play upfront with anelka instead of Kalouuuuuuuuuuuuuu ?? so we can have joe cole deco essien malouda in midfield Sure, I think he's capable of doing the job, but would that be right for Chelsea overall? His real value is in play making in midfield, with the option of moving forward for the strike, or back to intercept opposing plays. Such talent should not be squandered by limiting him to attack only.
September 30, 200915 yr That midfield would be a recipe for disaster. You can't hate Joey that much surely ES? The only difference between that midfield and the one you have gone for is Joe instead of Lamps. How can one different player suddenly be a "recipe for disaster"?!!! And you've gone for the much maligned Kalou up front. Now that IS a disaster!
September 30, 200915 yr i can't imagine nicosia giving us any scares. think this could be a game to give joey and zhirkov full 90 mins hilario ivanovic --- ricky --- jt --- cash essien lamps --- zhirkov joey nico --- studge
September 30, 200915 yr I'd start Hilario tonight, give him a little extra match practice ahead of Sunday, Carletto should rest Ashley aswell because i'd rather have him ready for Sunday. I'd more than likely line-up Hilario Ivan, Riccy, JT, Zhirkov Joe Cole, Essien, Lampsy, Malouda Anelka, Sturridge/Borini/Kalou
September 30, 200915 yr Very, very quiet thread so close to kick off? I think on current form we play Malouda, Ash behind him or depending how the game goes bring in Yuri for one of them and think about resting a few key players for Sunday. Would be nice to see Joe play a part in tonight, I bet he is salivating to play Champions League and against big Prem clubs again.
September 30, 200915 yr According to the injuryroom website, Mikel is out injured. Does anyone know anything about that? "J Mikel Ankle/Foot Injury no return date"
September 30, 200915 yr Author team announced - just heard it on the radio so apologies if I misheard Cech A Cole terry Carvalho Ivanovic Belletti Lampard Essien Anelka Malouda Kalou
