When is Mikel back available for selection?

 

Beginning of April, so hopefully he will be able to at least make the bench for this game.

Stoke away from what I've seen seem to be completely different from at home, however regardless almost every team is giving us a really good game.

 

Probably going to be another nervous one. We will all be bald come the end of the season.

Hehe Mikel is back by the time we'll be facing Arsenal, United etc. and we know what is going to happen. :p

 

We're taking the lead and by the 60-65th minute Mikel comes on and in 75-80th minute these team scores the equalizer lolz.

Ivanovic won't be dropped. Playing Luis and Azpi would significantly weaken our aerial presence in defence, and Stoke is not the team to trial that with.

 

I hope Zouma starts. He's earned it from his recent sub appearances, and Cahill was again shaky at the weekend. Despite that I'd trust Cahill to put in a shift against Stoke if he does start, it's the sort of physical battle he'd relish.

 

One player that hasn't earned a starting spot is Cuadrado. He won't start, and I agree with that decision. He's not hit the ground running, and he's not done enough in his appearances so far to suggest he's up to the physicality of the league. To anyone who says he "can't be worse than Willian", yes he can. And he has been on every occasion so far. 

 

Hopefully Costa is fit. Wouldn't mind seeing Remy alongside or on the wing, he's another player who probably deserves a starting spot.

 

My thoughts on the team, for what it's worth!

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by spadefx

Some thought he was bad some thought he was good however I want Luis to be start playing more, I think his composure on the ball is quality, very good at the back. We seem to be very nippy at the back sometimes although that's probably just the nerves getting the better of me. However when he is on the ball I just feel comfortable.

 

I am a huge Ivanovic fan, but after yesterdays display I would definitely like him to be dropped, obviously he wont but I hope he is.

Some thought he was bad some thought he was good however I want Luis to be start playing more, I think his composure on the ball is quality, very good at the back. We seem to be very nippy at the back sometimes although that's probably just the nerves getting the better of me. However when he is on the ball I just feel comfortable.

 

Agree with that point, although I feel the same way with Azpilicueta on the ball. Very rarely see either lose the ball, even under pressure.

 

I think Luis offers a more going forward, and he can put in a cracking cross (much as Azpi does on the right hand side), but he's not as defensively astute. And it's the defensive qualities that Jose's looking at in these high-stakes games.

 

To be fair it's maybe just a lack of game time, JT, Azpi and Hazard have had a long stretch together covering that left side. But I think Azpi is still our stronger choice on that side. 

 

It'd be great to have both in the side, but I think we'd get punished with two small full backs. Ivanovic isn't on great form, but his presence alone is often a big factor in our defensive solidity.

Should be this game. It was a month out and he's been out for about 3 weeks I think.

 

Beginning of April, so hopefully he will be able to at least make the bench for this game.

 

Conscious of the fact Matic & Fabregas are both one booking away from a two game ban.

 

Given Stokes physical qualities playing Matic & Mikel in the centre of midfield and possibly resting Fabregas could be an option, should he be fit.

Ultimately I am only really suggesting this as some sort of strategy to use these two sparingly and avoid losing them both for the games against Arsenal and United which would leave us very thin in midfield. 

 

Hard to imagine them both getting through 90 minutes against Stoke (physical dirty opponent) and QPR (derby, heated atmosphere) without at least one of them picking up a yellow. 

Edited March 23, 201511 yr by mclovin83

Agree with that point, although I feel the same way with Azpilicueta on the ball. Very rarely see either lose the ball, even under pressure.

 

I think Luis offers a more going forward, and he can put in a cracking cross (much as Azpi does on the right hand side), but he's not as defensively astute. And it's the defensive qualities that Jose's looking at in these high-stakes games.

 

To be fair it's maybe just a lack of game time, JT, Azpi and Hazard have had a long stretch together covering that left side. But I think Azpi is still our stronger choice on that side. 

 

It'd be great to have both in the side, but I think we'd get punished with two small full backs. Ivanovic isn't on great form, but his presence alone is often a big factor in our defensive solidity.

 

As for our defensive performance as shocking as it was against Hull, I think we have some problems upfront also, Luis certainly helps a lot better than Azpi does, I think it would be ideal to play Azpi right back sometimes but that just isn't going to happen.

As long as we have Matic for Arse and United, I'll be happy.

Rotation will not happen that much or drastically me thinks 

 

9 games left all but Leicester (at the end of April) are a week apart 

 

A lesser coach like the Fat waiter would of course make 5 changes for each match (we saw that first hand)

however based on his previous tenure here, watching him at Inter & Real, and nearly 2 seasons here its a bit

obvious that Jose likes a winning formula even when it stops being so successful, statistically the team is still

chalking up more wins than draws or more importantly losses

 

expect more or less the same eleven that have been used so much to date- unless injuries dictate otherwise

 

I still agree with Jose that Chelsea will win the league

 

Pelligrino wont win all 8 , lets do him a favour and say his team will pick up all 24, total pts would be 85

Whinger continues winning all 8, will pick up 24 pts, total pts would be 84

Van Gaal picks up 20 out of 24 pts, total pts would be 79

 

so currently Chelsea have 67 points to beat an unstoppable Arse/ City requires 86 pts, (86-67=19)

 

9 games      win all 9 = 27 pts

                    win 8 lose 1 = 24 pts

                    win 7 lose 2 = 21 pts

                    win 6 draw 2 lose 1 = 20 pts

                    win 6 draw 3 = 21 pts

                    win 6 draw 1 lose 2 = 19 pts

                    win 5 draw 4 = 19pts

those results win the title

 

                  win 6 lose 3 = 18 pts

                  win 5 lose 4 = 15pts

                  win 5 draw 3 lose 1 = 18pts

                  win 5 draw 2 lose 2 = 17 pts

 

those results may win the title or lose it if the rivals win every remaining game

 

Unless your pessimism extends to the point that you feel Chelsea will struggle to win 2/3rds of the remaining fixtures

I cant see how Arsenal or City can be a threat to the title ?

I must say that does make me feel a bit better, it's good to know the scenarios that will take us to the title no matter what our rivals do

Where is Mikel? We have missed him.

Where is Mikel? We have missed him.

Think a lot of Chelsea fans have missed having him to blame for when things go wrong lol...

Think a lot of Chelsea fans have missed having him to blame for when things go wrong lol...

Maybe the return of Mikel will be heralded in light of Ramires being useless and Zouma having to be the emergency DM.

Unless we are running out of troops, really dont want Ramires to start, he looked absolute awful last game. We need Ivanoic because Storke's aerial strength, hopefully Jose doesn't pick Willian to guard the fullback again. Currado deserve a chance to show what he could do.

 

Won't be an easy game, but I'm kind glad we have a break this week.

Conscious of the fact Matic & Fabregas are both one booking away from a two game ban.

 

Given Stokes physical qualities playing Matic & Mikel in the centre of midfield and possibly resting Fabregas could be an option, should he be fit.

Ultimately I am only really suggesting this as some sort of strategy to use these two sparingly and avoid losing them both for the games against Arsenal and United which would leave us very thin in midfield. 

 

Hard to imagine them both getting through 90 minutes against Stoke (physical dirty opponent) and QPR (derby, heated atmosphere) without at least one of them picking up a yellow. 

 

Pain in the arse really. If either gets a yellow before the end of the QPR match then we lose them for United and possibly Arsenal so I get your point about needing just another body that we can chuck in there.

 

If we can get through Stoke without losing either of them then I'd be inclined to use two of Zouma, Mikel and Ramires in there or possibly all three and just look to keep it tight. It's still a gamble but we need both of them for the United and Arsenal games.

 

Hull showed that we can't be complacent though. This is where you wish Jose had blooded someone like Ake or Loftus-Cheek so we might have a better deputy there.

Conscious of the fact Matic & Fabregas are both one booking away from a two game ban.

 

Given Stokes physical qualities playing Matic & Mikel in the centre of midfield and possibly resting Fabregas could be an option, should he be fit.

Ultimately I am only really suggesting this as some sort of strategy to use these two sparingly and avoid losing them both for the games against Arsenal and United which would leave us very thin in midfield. 

 

Hard to imagine them both getting through 90 minutes against Stoke (physical dirty opponent) and QPR (derby, heated atmosphere) without at least one of them picking up a yellow. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see both Matic and Fabregas pick up a yellow against Stoke, keep an eye out for either of them picking up a cheap yellow towards the end of this game. 

 

I think Jose would rather take his chances with both of them missing the QPR game than missing any of the harder fixtures after that.

I wouldn't be surprised to see both Matic and Fabregas pick up a yellow against Stoke, keep an eye out for either of them picking up a cheap yellow towards the end of this game. 

 

I think Jose would rather take his chances with both of them missing the QPR game than missing any of the harder fixtures after that.

 

They'd miss the United match as well. 10 yellows before the second Sunday in April is a two-game ban.

Edited March 24, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

They'd miss the United match as well. 10 yellows before the second Sunday in April is a two-game ban.

 

Oh! Didn't realise that.... 

 

In which case we might be seeing them taking turns in sitting out the following two games. 

 

Might see Fabregas dropped for the Stoke game with Oscar coming in and Matic sitting out the QPR match with Mikel coming in? 

 

Or maybe he's just going to have to risk it and pray they don't make any silly challenges. 

Oh! Didn't realise that.... 

 

In which case we might be seeing them taking turns in sitting out the following two games. 

 

Might see Fabregas dropped for the Stoke game with Oscar coming in and Matic sitting out the QPR match with Mikel coming in? 

 

Or maybe he's just going to have to risk it and pray they don't make any silly challenges. 

 

There was a moment in the Hull game where Fabregas pulled out of a tackle he'd usually make. That to me is the issue where you're walking a tightrope and it's playing on your mind.

 

Me, I'd play them in the Stoke game and hope for the best but rest them in the QPR game and look for the draw. The Arsenal match could be huge and we need them both for that one.

It's a bugger those 2 are a mistimed tackle away from missing those vital games.

If both are out we basically don't have a midfield.

Edited March 24, 201511 yr by Chelsbear

If both are out we basically don't have a midfield.

 

Please don't.

I feel uneasy enough as it is!

Please don't.

I feel uneasy enough as it is!

 

Here's something that'll reassure you, Mikel's record against Stoke:

 

P10, W8, D1, L1

 

The one defeat was when we lost 3-2 last season, with Assaidi scoring in the last minute. When Mikel went off it was still 2-2.

Here's something that'll reassure you, Mikel's record against Stoke:

P10, W8, D1, L1

The one defeat was when we lost 3-2 last season, with Assaidi scoring in the last minute. When Mikel went off it was still 2-2.

With the ever present Frankie beside him.

Coupled with Rambo though....