Will be interesting to see what team we line up with after good performances from the youngsters against Ipswich. I understand that Carlo wants to play his strongest squad, but when players like Drogba and Essien and Anelka have been under-performing for so long, surely that means your strongest squad is without them for the time being.

What I would like to see us line up with is something like:

But it's probably wishful thinking.

Sturridge definitely deserves a start though after his performances for the reserves and against Ipswich. If he doesn't get one on Saturday I wonder what he's going to have to do to get one... As for McEachran, well... He played very well, much better than Essien has been recently, although of course this was a weaker opposition, but we've seen him against some better clubs like Newcastle and marseille and he hasn't really looked out of place. I personally would start him in this game, probably in the holding role, then if we need to press on more later in the game we could move him farther forward and switch Ramires back to DM. But I don't think Carlo is ready to start him in the PL yet, which is a shame because he's definitely good enough,it's just his age that is causing the problem.

On current form Sturridge deserves a start against Blackburn. But I won't be surprised if Carlo starts his favourite three up front - Anelka, Drogba and Malouda. I would like to see Josh being played in the holding position. But if Carlo believes the game will be too physical for him he will probably use Essien in that role. The team I'd like to see start is as follows:-

Cech

Bosingwa Ivanovic Terry Cole

Ramires McEachran Lampard

Kalou Anelka Sturridge

Will be interesting to see what team we line up with after good performances from the youngsters against Ipswich. I understand that Carlo wants to play his strongest squad, but when players like Drogba and Essien and Anelka have been under-performing for so long, surely that means your strongest squad is without them for the time being.

What I would like to see us line up with is something like:

But it's probably wishful thinking.

Sturridge definitely deserves a start though after his performances for the reserves and against Ipswich. If he doesn't get one on Saturday I wonder what he's going to have to do to get one... As for McEachran, well... He played very well, much better than Essien has been recently, although of course this was a weaker opposition, but we've seen him against some better clubs like Newcastle and marseille and he hasn't really looked out of place. I personally would start him in this game, probably in the holding role, then if we need to press on more later in the game we could move him farther forward and switch Ramires back to DM. But I don't think Carlo is ready to start him in the PL yet, which is a shame because he's definitely good enough,it's just his age that is causing the problem.

That is most definitely wishful thinking BlueSkies, thought its exactly what i would love to see. Nice graphic by the way. Sturridge deserves a start, shame he won't get it.

Edited January 13, 201114 yr by Blueblur

For me:

The GK

Boswinga JT Invanoic Cole

Josh Lampard Essien

Malouda Drogba Sturridge

I have no problem if Drogba is benched, but can't see how Anelka deserve a start after a couple of shocking months. We need to take some risk and show some arrogance in match like this, no point playing 2 midfield destroyers.

I have no problem if Drogba is benched, but can't see how Anelka deserve a start after a couple of shocking months. We need to take some risk and show some arrogance in match like this, no point playing 2 midfield destroyers.

Anelka was pretty good against Ipswich. I would actually go with 4-4-2. We dont really need to have a holding midfielder against a lower side at home.

Cech

Bossy-Ivan-JT-Cole

Kalou/Ramires-Essien-Lamps-Flo

DD/Nico-Danny

Josh to come in for 30 min.

I'd play that team, but with Nico up front

Interesting to see if Danny starts or not. 7 goals in last two games he's played..he has the touch for scoring no matter who the opponent.

Media reports state Carlo is likely to bring on the big guns against Blackburn - Drogba, Essien, Malouda and Ashley Cole. So I expect the midfield to be Ramires, Essien and Lampard and up front Anelka, Drogba and Malouda.

It looks like Essien, despite his poor recent form, will start instead of McEachran. I'll be very surprised if Carlo does not start Drogba altghough I believe he should be rested. He's not the same player he was before he was hit with malaria.

However, I'm looking forward to a clean sheet and a 3-0 victory. I guess I'm the eternal optomist. Onwards and Upwards, Chelsea!

Media reports state Carlo is likely to bring on the big guns against Blackburn - Drogba, Essien, Malouda and Ashley Cole. So I expect the midfield to be Ramires, Essien and Lampard and up front Anelka, Drogba and Malouda.

It looks like Essien, despite his poor recent form, will start instead of McEachran. I'll be very surprised if Carlo does not start Drogba altghough I believe he should be rested. He's not the same player he was before he was hit with malaria.

However, I'm looking forward to a clean sheet and a 3-0 victory. I guess I'm the eternal optomist. Onwards and Upwards, Chelsea!

Same here would like Sturridge to start to me he has earned it. Might wake a few people up if he does plus give confidence to the others on the bench that you can earn a start in the 1st team if you play well which is sadly not the case at the moment .

3-0 job done Sturridge brace and Nico blinder

A few players really need to start getting their fingers out of their arses , Essien , Drogba , Ramirez, Malouda and Anelka , Blackburn are not easy to beat and this wont be like last season @ The Bridge , they rolled over to Utd under Sam Al but that never surprises me , another reason i think Alladyce was a c**t .

Drogba cant keep using the maiaria bug as an excuse , hes well over that so he needs to put in more , stop sulking and be less greedy , oh and let somebody else take free kicks in future . Need first half goals , 0-0 half time will create nerves and we usually f**k things up when that happens.

This is the Guardian's prediction for tomorrow's game:

On paper at least, we should batter 'em.

Bloody hell, they spelt everyone`s name right. They must have got themselves a new spell checker.

Tottenham are at home to Man Utd this weekend, so if we are truly returning to form this weekend should in theory see us get back into the top four.

If Avram feels like doing us a favour he could take three points off Arsenal...

Its going to be tough game, Chels have lost the aura of invicibility at SB and these pie munchers will be up for it. Lets face it anything less than a win will do nothing to stop the rot, United will then be out of sight as spuds are gonna lose.

Sturridge should start, everyones slagging off The Drog but hes been scoring most of the few prem goals that have been netted recently, thats a fact, so dont understand why he should be benched after being rested.

Kalou is better as a sub. Or in tandem with Sturridge thus dropping Anelka.

The defence is a problem, our left and right backs are very weak at defending and Pedersen and the Spitter Diouf will be up for it, they got a good on loan striker from the Scummers (african guy) plus they may have Santa Cruz back whose good in the box.

If Chelsea show up interested and score 1st I can see a win, if the usual tepid slow start happens and they nick one........ffs !

COME ON CHELSEA wanna see 3 nil or 3 1 !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1347299/Josh-McEachran-pressurises-Michael-Essien-Carlo-Ancelotti-threatens-change-Chelsea.html#ixzz1B9BdR72u

Looking forward to seeing the team tomorrow. To see a midfield of Mikel holding with Lampard and Josh further forward would be interesting to say the very least...!

Santa Cruz will play for them so the Guardian are out already.

I was just about to post the same article. In fact I think it's worth posting in full. even if it is from the Mail:

Josh McEachran pressurises Michael Essien as Carlo Ancelotti threatens change at Chelsea

Michael Essien’s place in the Chelsea team is under serious threat from teenager Josh McEachran as Carlo Ancelotti considers drastic action to shock the champions from their slump.

McEachran has yet to start a Barclays Premier League game but Ancelotti was impressed by his performance during last weekend’s 7-0 FA Cup win against Ipswich.

The 17-year-old injected energy and creativity into a midfield which has struggled badly through a run of just two wins in 11 league outings.

It would be a big call to drop Essien, a £24million signing from Lyon five years ago and a senior dressing room figure, but he has not recaptured top form since returning from a second serious knee injury in two years.

Ancelotti said: ‘My job is to choose the best team to play the game. Maybe sometimes there are some players who are not in good condition to play. This does not mean they are not important. I had some fantastic players in the past and they did not play every game.

‘McEachran is ready to start in the Premier League. He has confidence, personality and he is strong. You look at him and think he won’t be strong in the tackle but he was against Ipswich. He doesn’t lack anything.’

Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda also find their places in doubt against Blackburn today after being rested against Ipswich.

Asked whether he was willing to wield the axe and risk a dressing-room backlash, Ancelotti replied: ‘Yes, why not?’

The Italian is cautious by nature and has always valued experience but admits he is torn. ‘I have doubts up front and in midfield,’ he added.

The Blues withdrew from the chase for Steven Pienaar because of his £70,000-a-week wage demands. Spurs last night offered £2m for the South African and were awaiting Everton’s response.

‘We are thinking about central defence,’ said Ancelotti in relation to signings. With injured duo Alex — out since November — and Yuri Zhirkov suffering setbacks, Chelsea could be forced into buying.

Benfica’s David Luiz, 23, is the preferred choice but the clubs are at loggerheads over the price. Others linked include Bolton’s Gary Cahill, Neven Subotic of Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin.

Having slid to fifth, Chelsea will be tempted to spend to reduce the risk of finishing outside the top four.

‘This club need to play in the Champions League,’ said Ancelotti, ‘I’m sure we will but I don’t like to promise.’

LINK

Sturridge should start, everyones slagging off The Drog but hes been scoring most of the few prem goals that have been netted recently, thats a fact, so dont understand why he should be benched after being rested.

Kalou is better as a sub. Or in tandem with Sturridge thus dropping Anelka.

I'm hugely tempted to put Josh in for this game, I mean Essien has been disappointing along with Drogba/Anelka so if two are out of the team it might show the players that Carlo means business here at Chelsea. Back 5 won' change but who partners the Mac in midfield? Lampard and Ramires for me with Studge, Anelka and Flo

Also, heard that Carragher is commentating on our game for Soccer Saturday? Say it ain't sooo

I'm hugely tempted to put Josh in for this game, I mean Essien has been disappointing along with Drogba/Anelka so if two are out of the team it might show the players that Carlo means business here at Chelsea. Back 5 won' change but who partners the Mac in midfield? Lampard and Ramires for me with Studge, Anelka and Flo

Also, heard that Carragher is commentating on our game for Soccer Saturday? Say it ain't sooo

If Josh doesn't start, you have to say our team selection is not based on merit, and that's a slippery slope. I think he's going to be a world class player and, the quicker we stop faffing about with him, the better. Ray WIlkins captained the side at 18 and went on playing until he was nearly 40, so I don't see why Josh needs to be wrapped in cotton wool any longer. At least give him 45 minutes, and preferably the first 45

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2266926,00.html

Could well be that Josh indeed starts today:)

If Josh doesn't start, you have to say our team selection is not based on merit, and that's a slippery slope. I think he's going to be a world class player and, the quicker we stop faffing about with him, the better. Ray WIlkins captained the side at 18 and went on playing until he was nearly 40, so I don't see why Josh needs to be wrapped in cotton wool any longer. At least give him 45 minutes, and preferably the first 45

Completely different era, completely different game.

Completely different era, completely different game.

Ah yes, but his main point still stands, dkw. Josh needs a run out, especially if the rest of the team are under-performing (which, undoubtedly, they are).

Fair play to Carragher on Sky sports news , gave us deserved credit for our achievements and was full of praise for Drogba , he actually came across a decent bloke , not just on Chelsea but in general.

Unlikely but i'd play something like this:

Cech

Bosingwa Ivan JT Cole

Essien

Ramires Lamps

Josh

Anelka Sturridge