i know drogba has not been looking quite the same but does anybody think that some of it could be down to fitness and a bit of rustiness due to lack of first team performances? i have had a feeling for a while now that he is going to score a massive goal

Yes I think for definite, remember last time he had a run in the team he started to look sharper as the games wore on. Tell you he's gonna score Sunday!

I know I am late on the Solanke debate today, but I just read this bit of news from the Official CFC twitter account:

 

@ChelseaFC

"Mourinho says Dominic Solanke did not play for the Under-21s yesterday so he would be fresh if needed on Sunday. #CFC"

 

Also I agree w/ those who stated the fact that Kalas got a start @ klanfield last season. No one saw that coming & it paid off for Jose. The Blues played a weaken side & got the 'W'. True the fact that stevie me slipped helped, but CFC stopped arguably the best attack in the prem last season w/ a Youngster in the back. Why not play a Youngster in the attack? A chance for the kid to make a name for himself w/ the club. I know what, I won't go against Jose EVER!!! He proves time & time again that he is the Best Ever Gaffer this Club has ever seen!!! I trust in Jose!!!

There was a classic moment in Jose's press conference. A reporter asked him something like "You say you've been pushed hard this season, how hard did Arsene Wenger push you?" Everbody laughed. Jose wouldn't answer, just said it was a top question.

 

I'm not seeing many predicted lineups here. How do you think we'll set up? I think we'll play like against United, focused on keeping a clean sheet while trying to knick a goal on a counterattack. I don't think we'll need Zouma in midfield for this one. I'd go:

Courtois

Azpi Cahill Terry Luis

Ramires Matic

Oscar Fabregas Hazard

Drogba(assuming Remy and Costa aren't fit)

 

I seriously doubt Mou will drop Ivan at this point though.

Minute silence before this one for the Bradford Fire victims, so might be a good idea to temporarily disable registrations, or block ones with Merseyside IP addresses, just to be on the safe side.

 

Michael Oliver is the referee.

i know drogba has not been looking quite the same but does anybody think that some of it could be down to fitness and a bit of rustiness due to lack of first team performances? i have had a feeling for a while now that he is going to score a massive goal

Well spotted. I think that drogs can improve with more match fitness. He was clearly better against Manu than qpr. Obviously won't get back to his prime but provided not restricted by long term injury he will get better for a couple more games.

Remy a better option although he hasn't had much game time either costa is generally fairly rusty himself first couple of games back. They will all probably be crap but we'll win anyway.

I really want Solanke to start, but knowing Jose...

So according to my Sports App on my phone Remy is out for this match.  Seeing as how we don't want to ruin his career, I'd like to see Costa sitting out for this as well.  

With that being said, I don't see us winning or even drawing this match anymore.  

With that being said, I don't see us winning or even drawing this match anymore.  

 

Tough game like the United one, but I do believe we can pull off a win here. Am hoping to see Remy back in action. Drogs has been good but more in a tactical defensive position. 

 

Our incentive couldn't be better right now.

 

Let's do it boys!

As good as a win would be, I wouldn't want to see anyone's health risked for it. So if remy and costa are 50% I'd rather they were rested.

Can't remember the last time I've felt more relaxed and confident going into a game. They will not score, thus we won't lose. Simple. 

 

I think we'll do to them what we did to Liverpool at Anfield last season. 

Looking forward to seeing Bully, Claude and co's post match meltdown on Arsenal fan tv about horrible old Chelsea and their anti-football.

I don't know if this has ben mentioned or not (I'm not going to read 250+ posts to find out either! :-p ) but this made me laugh!

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has retaliated after his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger questioned his side's defensive tactics.

Wenger provoked the Blues boss this week, saying: "It is easy to defend."

Mourinho retorted by mentioning Arsenal's Champions League last-16 exit in February, saying: "It's not easy. If it was easy, you wouldn't lose 3-1 at home to Monaco." [emoji1][emoji106]

Mourinho responds to Wenger comments

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32444996

Looking forward to seeing Bully, Claude and co's post match meltdown on Arsenal fan tv about horrible old Chelsea and their anti-football.

As long as the title is coming to the bridge we dnt care right

can see this game being the usual story. as long as we dont concede in the first 20 mins, arsenal will implode and give us the result. they just cant deal with the frustration of playing a well organised, physical team.

Agree with those who fancy seeing solanke given a chance. would be nice to show some faith in him given a lack of options, but drogba will probably play for the set piece threat which we may well be relying on for our goals

Mail saying Costa is out of arsenal and Leicester games...would rather we don't play him of there is a risk of him pulling his hammy again...means solanke expected to be on the bench...will need Drogba to come up with some old magic at Emirates again and hazard to be at his usual best...still they will have to come at us like Utd last week so pressure is all on them

This is a must not lose, than a must win.

 

Well said. We've been dominant over Arsenal for quite sometime now. I don't want that to change. I'm going for a 2-0 too. 

According to we ain't got no history Jose has said no Costa or remy for this one.

Cannot help but smile at Drogba vs arsenal again ?

According to we ain't got no history Jose has said no Costa or remy for this one.

Cannot help but smile at Drogba vs arsenal again ?

I just have to wonder what the hell has happened to Remy?

Is a real shame for him as when he plays I have the upmost confidence in him to score.

His fitness just has not been good enough this season. Had we progressed past psg we would have little chance against barca. Didier could not manage 2 legs against them and the 2 league games in 2 weeks Imo.

I just have to wonder what the hell has happened to Remy?

It does make one wonder, considering he was only missing the QPR game as a precaution, precaution to what?  a disappearance off of the face of the earth.

If Hazard puts in another good performance he has to win the player of the month award. He has been immense of late, the only competition is Vardy for Leicester and Benteke for Villa.

Something has definitely gone on there, can't blame Remy though can remember Jose subbing him straight after he scored a goal.

Edited April 25, 201511 yr by ducavis

I just have to wonder what the hell has happened to Remy?

Something has definitely gone on there, can't blame Remy though can remember Jose subbing him straight after he scored a goal.

I assumed that was to preserve his fitness as we needed him for future matches.

I realise that there is a huge irony to that.

ame="ducavis" post="1003732" timestamp="1429982235"]

I assumed that was to preserve his fitness as we needed him for future matches

I realise that there is a huge irony to that.[/quote

Rumor that Jose fell out w Remy as he was out on the town night before QPR

Could be bollox but does explain the situation