Posted September 25, 201113 yr Can't wait for this one, will be interesting to see Mata return home and Torres returning back to Spain as well. As usual with AVB its hard to predict the team but im guessing Luiz will get a start and Sturridge should be back from his minor knock he got the other day.. Will Lampard start? Thought we played really good football against Swansea and hopefully we can carry on from that, but with 11 men on the pitch this time. Whats the odds that Mata will score a goal on his return? Bring it on!
September 25, 201113 yr Since Torres have made sure he can rest for awhile in the league now he must start this game. Guess we'll play a rather strong team. Probably more or less the same team as against Swansea, though with perhaps a few changes. I can see Lampard starting (unless there's any truth in the story that he left the bench and AVB now wants to punish him, but that doesn't seem likely) and perhaps Luiz playing. Do we dare rest Terry again? Malouda in for Anelka as well? Or do we start Drogba with Torres and Mata up front?
September 25, 201113 yr Author Lampard never stormed off, BluesChronicle sat right behind the bench/dugout and Lampard left with the rest off the subs for an early shower.
September 25, 201113 yr Team pretty much picks itself for me, except for DM (I'd use Romeu) and AMC (I'd bench Lampard) because I can see Valencia running rings around him.
September 25, 201113 yr I can't wait for this game at all, from what AVB has said about Lampard I expect him to start this game.
September 26, 201113 yr Lampard sturridge mikel to all start. Maybe luiz as well. Anelka mireiles drop to bench
September 26, 201113 yr It's an interesting one. Our first big away tie in the CL this season. Let's hope we're a bit more circumspect than we were at United. Torres obviously starts, I'd fancy Luiz to come in for Bosingwa, shifting Ivan to right back. This is the biggest game in the group and we need a solid defensive platform, for all his success going forward he is a liability at the back and one which will be targeted. Ivan is the safer option. Ramires is still suspended or am I wrong? Cech, Ivan, Luiz, JT, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Meireles, Malouda, Mata, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Romeu, McEachran, Anelka, Kalou, Drogba
September 26, 201113 yr ---------------Cech--------------- Bossy-----JT-----Luiz-----Cole Meireles----Mikel----Lampard Sturridge-----Torres-----Mata He could easily put Romeu in for Mikel or Nico for Danny. He could also rest Bossy, Paulo can do a decent job. I don't think he plays Ivan as right-back.
September 26, 201113 yr Ramires should be back from his suspension I think. Romeu is definitely in line for a start, but I think he'll have to wait a little longer. I'd like to see Ivan over Bos too, but we've yet to see AVB use him there. Sturridge should be back, but he'll take a place on the bench. I think we'll see:
September 26, 201113 yr I don't see romeu getting a start in this kind of game this early in his career Edited September 26, 201113 yr by ozboy
September 26, 201113 yr If its between Romeu and Mikel, the latter is a safer option so I'd expect AVB to go with that. I'd really expect Luiz to start this one. Not sure who'd he replace in the backline, Buzzinga or Ivan. Expect Lamps to start too. Not sure if Rams is available, if so then he's a definite starter no question. My lineup: Cech Ivan Luiz JT Cole Ramires(or Mikel) Meireles Lampard Sturridge Torres Mata Big game for Mata returning to his former club and all. I expect an open game with plenty of chances for both sides. I hope our forwards put on their scoring boots for this one. A good defensive showing wouldn't be too bad.
September 26, 201113 yr If Torres wasnt suspended for PL games, i wouldve start Drogba, spanish teams play low and pacy and will be suited for Torres.
September 26, 201113 yr I think we will get alot of space going forward in this game, valencia will try and put pressure on us and hopefully we can tear them apart with fast counterattacking play. I would start with meireles, ramires and lampard for this reason, mikel is to slow in the build up play. Sturridge, torres and mata up front should provide us with goals against a questionable valencia defence.
September 26, 201113 yr There are 7 certain starters on Wednesday and 4 spots up for grabs .. Cech + Right-back + Cole + Luiz + Centre-back + "Number 6" + Ramires + Lampard + Torres + Mata + Attacker
September 26, 201113 yr Not a chance in hell that Romeu will play. AVB will go for experience so Lampard will definitely start, Mikel too.
September 27, 201113 yr As usual with AVB its hard to predict the team Fascinating, isn't it? I love his unpredictability. I would almost guarantee that Lampard will play.
September 27, 201113 yr I wonder if this is the match where JT gets a rest? He played a lot of minuted against Fulham and Swansea. At his age he needs some down time too. Maybe this is the first time we see Luiz and Ivanovic as a central paring?
September 27, 201113 yr Hope AVB goes with his strongest possible team and attempt to get this group rapped up early so we can use the young players for the last 2 or 3 games.It will be a tough game but Valencia are nowhere near what they used to be.Soldado in good scoring form but JT or ivanovic should have the measure of him. Lampard a certainty to come into the team so my preferred selection would be: Cech,Boss,Terry,Iva,Cole,Meireles,Lampard,Ramires,Mata,El Nino,Anelka(Sturridge if fit) Also does anyone else share my fears about Luiz's defensive capabilities?Unbelievable going forward and some man to get a goal but i have to look away when I see him running into a challenge he produces a moment of defensive excellence or hacks down a player gets a yellow and puts us under pressure.I dont know I have no confidence in him centre back
September 27, 201113 yr Cech, Ivan, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Torres, Anelka. Give Sturridge and Drogba runs in the 2nd half to get them ready for the weekend, when they could both end up going the full 90. I really enjoy not having any idea who we're going to lineup with!
September 27, 201113 yr Not a chance in hell that Romeu will play. AVB will go for experience so Lampard will definitely start, Mikel too. I just can't find the interview from anywhere but I'm sure AVB said somewhere Romeu is a strong contender for the game as we have played so many games in a short time. I would easily play him after seeing his performance against Fulham. He is Mikel with attacking ambitions, well not that much attacking but he passes the ball faster and forward.
September 27, 201113 yr Fascinating, isn't it? I love his unpredictability. I would almost guarantee that Lampard will play. Must be hell for the ones doing BPL though, you can never be sure who is going to play.
September 27, 201113 yr Must be hell for the ones doing BPL though, you can never be sure who is going to play. I think for the team that is a perfect situation. Everyone is on their toes all the time. If players collectively agree that no one is certain starter the ones who play less are pushing for the spot all the time. Maybe for a guy like Frank it can be tough as it changes his situation but he is a smart man to my understanding and he knows why he isn't picked for every game. If someone can find the interview with AVB saying all his DM's are great and everyone will play and he praises Romeu, please post it here.
September 27, 201113 yr People please! I cannot believe how blown up this has become just because Frank didnt play against Swansea. Folk say hes finished at Chelsea and stormed off etc. what aload of bs, its just propaganda. No one knows how frank feels, only Frank himself. Ok Frank isnt playing like his normal self, also hes not scoring like his normal self, but he needs more time before anyone can say hes finished at chelsea. Only Frank and AVB will know. Its so frustrating how things get blown up all the time over 1 player missing 1 game!. As for Valencia game i expect Chelsea to win or at least get a point. Cannot see a defeat im afraid!. Cmon the blues!
September 27, 201113 yr I think for the team that is a perfect situation. Everyone is on their toes all the time. If players collectively agree that no one is certain starter the ones who play less are pushing for the spot all the time. Maybe for a guy like Frank it can be tough as it changes his situation but he is a smart man to my understanding and he knows why he isn't picked for every game. If someone can find the interview with AVB saying all his DM's are great and everyone will play and he praises Romeu, please post it here. Hmm I was talking about Butch's Prediction League. We might have our wire's crossed here.
