I'd actually go with cahill and Zouma. The defence is all over the shop, and maybe if the team isn't set up to nullify our own weaknesses as much, then we can start putting teams under pressure.

I'd like to see

Azpilicueta zouma cahill baba

With Terry out of the team, in theory we wouldn't need to play such a deep line which is often what causes the gaps in between Matic and the defence.

^ Agree he is part of the problem. We have too sit too deep which prevents the 2 in the middle from linking up with the 3 further up the park. Azpi has too sit deep & play on his wrong foot to protect him, and we also have the Ivanovic issue on the right.

For me it either JT or Ivanovic in the starting 11 going forward, the only problem with that is Jose's insistence on playing three 6fters in defence.

JT is in the team at present on his leadership abilities. His form has been poor as has Ivan's. Suddenly if you were to take these two out of the firing line we'd be totally bereft of leaders on the pitch. When you couple this with the loss of Cech and Drogba the backbones of the dressing room resembles a jellyfish.

You've highlighted something there. This is about who's not on the pitch, past but possibly also present, as much as who is.

There is no doubt in my view that he is in the worst run of form of his Chelsea career. Is it a permanent decline or a prolonged blip? Nothing lasts forever and if we had managed to get John Stones there would be questions about JT making the starting line up on current form.

 

JT isn't really making any errors himself but those around him are and they're playing extremely poorly that it's dragged him down with them. 

 

We had two holding midfielders against Everton and yet Everton were given time and space in the midfield and able to get countless shots away from outside the area too. 

i shave my bollocks...there i said it!

Tried it once. The sting for hours later was unbearable. I either have sensitive skin or I'm just feeble.

My hair grows a lot quicker on my chin than anywhere else. It's rather annoying.

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/9/20/9358169/spoiler-alert-it-is-because-zouma-is-fast-and-terry-is-slower-than-the-mississippi

 

Are we now starting to see with JT what we saw happen to Adams, Bould and the like before him? Restricted more to the supporting role, time shared between the bench and the starting 11.

 

Or does he force his way back in week in and week out soon?

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/9/20/9358169/spoiler-alert-it-is-because-zouma-is-fast-and-terry-is-slower-than-the-mississippi

Are we now starting to see with JT what we saw happen to Adams, Bould and the like before him? Restricted more to the supporting role, time shared between the bench and the starting 11.

Or does he force his way back in week in and week out soon?

Well some older players can take time to get into the season so hopefully he will be ready soon

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/9/20/9358169/spoiler-alert-it-is-because-zouma-is-fast-and-terry-is-slower-than-the-mississippi

Are we now starting to see with JT what we saw happen to Adams, Bould and the like before him? Restricted more to the supporting role, time shared between the bench and the starting 11.

Or does he force his way back in week in and week out soon?

Great article, or at least great words from Jose. The media are resorting to making yet more stuff up to paint a picture of a major rift and behind the scenes turmoil at the club. It's good of Jose to put them right.

Edited September 20, 201510 yr by Backbiter

Mourinho couldn't have been more emphatic in supporting JT, great to see.

The Mirror are trying to spin the idea that JT playing against Walsall on Wednesday night is "humiliating" and a "clear sign that his days look numbered at Stamford Bridge". 

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelseas-john-terry-play-vs-6482891

The Mirror are trying to spin the idea that JT playing against Walsall on Wednesday night is "humiliating" and a "clear sign that his days look numbered at Stamford Bridge".

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelseas-john-terry-play-vs-6482891

It's ridiculous isn't it.

JT plays: humiliating, days numbered, etc.

JT doesn't play: humiliating, days numbered, etc.

It's probably true that his days are numbered, and he has surprised many people by playing at such a high level for so long, but the idea of him ever being embarassed to turn out for the club is laughable.

I never watch the news or read papers. They all talk utter nonsense about EVERYTHING. 

It's a shame, really. I'm sure most sports journalists get into the profession wanting to share their knowledge, and inspire real thought-provoking debate with their articles.

 

Instead it's all about the most controversial headline, and getting the clicks & reactions.

 

What would be so wrong with "___ looks at how Chelsea may lineup midweek. Will Terry be back in the lineup?"

 

It's the main reason I read & post on this forum and regularly check out WAGNH. You can actually enjoy some real football discussion.

The media are probably gutted that Terry looked very happy for Zouma when he scored on Saturday, they was probably hoping to grab a few pictures of him looking angry.

The media are probably gutted that Terry looked very happy for Zouma when he scored on Saturday, they was probably hoping to grab a few pictures of him looking angry.

haha this is so true!!

A real legend. He should be at every game with his head held high whether he starts, is on the bench or in the stands. A true professional and that was visible to see during the Arsenal match. I hope he doesn't go anywhere and ends his career here. Has a lot to pass and to Zouma and the next young CB.

The media are probably gutted that Terry looked very happy for Zouma when he scored on Saturday, they was probably hoping to grab a few pictures of him looking angry.

I think most Pro's are pretty good, with one noteable exception in CR7 who looks visibly angry when someone else scores, instead of passing to him

A 20 year old Chelsea fan died recently of cervical cancer  

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2908320/Woman-20-told-stomach-cramps-growing-pains-fighting-life-diagnosed-cervical-cancer.html

 

JT's response:

 

The big man is a great defender and a true Chelsea Legend.

Simple as that.

The media can 'shove it'.

Could some kind soul who knows something about football please explain why the best centre half in the history of the premier league, one who had possibly his best ever season last season, and who has shown time and time again that not only are his own contributions beyond reproach but that his organisational and motivational skills are such that those around him raise their game, is not good enough to be selected on our team? 

Edited September 29, 201510 yr by Liam

Could some kind soul who knows something about football please explain why the best centre half in the history of the premier league, one who had possibly his best ever season last season, and who has shown time and time again that not only are his own contributions beyond reproach but that his organisational and motivational skills are such that those around him raise their game, is not good enough to be selected on our team? 

 

...........uh, i dunno, i'm lost on this one too. When he was in the team this season, was he really all that bad ? from what i have seen from him so far, he hasn't performed worse than Cahill or Zouma.

Like he did with Benetiz I reckon JT has spoken to Jose and addressed some concerns about the team.

He's paying for it now.

No reason not to play JT, he's too important.

He simply has to play. Yes he'll get done now and again but we are a shambles at the back without his leadership.

 

No doubt his abscence from the team is having an impact off the pitch too. When struggling is when you need your leaders most but a leaders words just cannot carry as much weight if people know he's going to be sitting on his arse for 90 minutes come gameday.