Messi, Suarez, Neymar... yea not far behind.

Id be happy if just one of those four starts scoring. Hazard already has two bad misses and I dont remember Costa even having a shot on goal

Remember, Messi, Suarez and Naymar aren't playing in the EPL if they were they wouldn't be flattered quite as much, we have seen what costa and Falcao as well as pedro do in la liga and I can only imagine Hazard playing for Barca or Real the goals he would score, I'm telling you those 4 on form would be formidable and not a million miles behind, yes Barcas forwards are better, we all know that, but our front line on form are serious contenders...that was the point  

Since Oscar is injured I'd start RLC and have Pedro on the bench. 

 

Despite his poor form so far, I think Ivanovic should start this one. He should have an easier time defending against Chris Brunt and Morrison since they're a lot slower than what he faced the last two matches. We'd also need him because of West Brom's physicality, and in dealing with big men such as Anichebe, Lambert, and Rondon. I don't think we should just throw Rahman in the deep end, he needs to be eased into the first team. 

 

            Begovic

Ivanovic Terry Zouma Azpi

         RLC   Matic

   Willian Cesc Hazard

             Costa

Have you been watching any Cheslea games this  and last season? 

 

No idea what you're referring to, but I'm clearly mistaken. Great point. 

Remember, Messi, Suarez and Naymar aren't playing in the EPL if they were they wouldn't be flattered quite as much, we have seen what costa and Falcao as well as pedro do in la liga and I can only imagine Hazard playing for Barca or Real the goals he would score, I'm telling you those 4 on form would be formidable and not a million miles behind, yes Barcas forwards are better, we all know that, but our front line on form are serious contenders...that was the point

I get your point but a front line firing on all cylinders at any big club is a scary thought and wouldnt be far off. Barca have 3 of the best 5 attacking players in the world, and 2 of the best 3 full stop. Its not close when even one of them is on

Edited August 21, 201510 yr by TheChelseaBlues

The fact is jt has to be dropped at some point. None of us wanna see him get older but it's gonna happen so let's make adjustments now. The problem is with Brano, jt, matic and Cahill we have a severe lack of pace defensively which man city showed. Dave in the rb slot, Cahill and zouma/stones and Rahman at lb. seems a no brainer to me. Agree with the post above with the right side being Spanish. The more they feel at home and gain confidence the better. I'm still not buying into Oscar being the answer to our problems. Rami next to matic to add more stamina and also gives us a box to box midfielder. Pedro on the right, hazard left and cesc behind costa. Costa isn't fit, remy nor falcao are the answer either out the 3 I'd take costa.

Chelsea FC ?@ChelseaFC  3m3 minutes ago

Mourinho: 'Moses and Oscar are still injured. I don't know if the new players are available for Sunday or not.' #CFC

Chelsea FC ?@ChelseaFC  4m4 minutes ago

Mourinho confirms Thibaut Courtois will start on Sunday, adding he was so happy with Asmir Begovic's performances in goal. #CFC

Well with both Oscar and Moses out, it means that either one of Ramires or Cuadrado has to start, or Pedro will be getting shoved straight into the starting line-up.

Well with both Oscar and Moses out, it means that either one of Ramires or Cuadrado has to start, or Pedro will be getting shoved straight into the starting line-up.

 

Who knows, we might even start with two up front. 

 

Could see Falcao and Costa paired together.... 

More likely to see a very similar starting line up to Sunday I reckon.

 

Maybe Remy in for Ramires though- more attack minded.

 

Can't see either of Baba or Pedro starting this game; hopefully both get some minutes in the second half though.

Dropping Terry would be madness.

Must win but (despite my earlier 2-1 prediction) am not optimistic...

 

 - West Brom have already played a top team recently (Man City), which may work to our disadvantage

 - our recent record at the Hawthorns isn't great

 - it's an early Sunday afternoon away day

 

Seems reasonable to assume we'll have most of the possession, so Oscar will be a big miss for us.

 

Would like to see Zouma/Baba in for Ivanovic/JT (sorry JT!).

Edited August 21, 201510 yr by the special one

 

Wouldn't mind us trying something different

 

4-4-2 bit more natural width from the full backs. 

 

Wouldn't be a long term solution but with Pedro unlikely to be ready to start this one, Oscar and Moses injured and me not wanting Cuadrado anywhere near a Chelsea shirt I think a new approach could help freshen things up a bit. 

pedro should start imo

 

hes 100% and rapid

That only Terry for Zouma

Edited August 21, 201510 yr by Zola

Jose's Pre-match Press Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ufL_VLmwyE

Hope Pedro will start. We need a lot of speed for this one.

 

Thibaut, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Dave, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Diego.

 

They are very strong team with tough manager but our speed should be enough.

It'll be the same team as last week unless Oscar is fit in time.

It'll be the same team as last week unless Oscar is fit in time.

 

nope...Jose said in his presser that both Oscar & Moses have injuries. Maybe we will see Pedro. He did train yesterday w/ the team.

I don't feel as though drastic changes are needed

I also think if we need to sacrifice a centre back to inject some pace in Zouma then it needs to be JT. There's every chance that Cahill will become our leader at the back in the coming years, and he wont do that being dropped to accommodate JT. Theres little between our current centre half pairing, take away JT's leadership on the pitch and I think Cahill's actually the better option - I think he's earnt the opportunity to assert his own leadership.

 

All of this...all of it. 

Terry is twice the player of Cahill. Taking him off instead of Cahill last week was a huge mistake. We would not have conceded the 2nd and 3rd goals with JT on the pitch. This guy was the best player in the prem (barring Hazard) last season and now people are saying he shouldn't even start, just 3 short months later. By all means, we need Zouma's pace, but not at the expense of everything JT brings to the team. Talk on the Guardian podcast that Mourinho won't even acknowledge JT; I really hope this is not true.

I get your point but a front line firing on all cylinders at any big club is a scary thought and wouldnt be far off. Barca have 3 of the best 5 attacking players in the world, and 2 of the best 3 full stop. Its not close when even one of them is on

They are a different class right now, you're right, but the best attacking players in the world, Messi and Ronaldo, then in the bracket below, Suarez, Aguero, Robben, Hazard, Costa, Bale, Reus, Falcao (on form), Naymar then third bracket people like Silva, Sanchez, Greizman, Pedro, I don't rate naymar as better than anyone in that second bracket, their stand out is Messi, and I do think Suarez is better than Costa, however I maintain our 4 on form as part of an attacking line wouldn't be that far behind, they are far more physical for a start, I think they could be more adaptive to big strong teams that sit back as well, the least we can say it would give us one of the best attacking lines in the world if Falcao came back to form and Costa stays injury free, one bad season and I think a lot of people forget what a beast Falcao is, that's just out hangover from Torres, I really think and hope he will get back to some sort of form. 

Terry is twice the player of Cahill. Taking him off instead of Cahill last week was a huge mistake. We would not have conceded the 2nd and 3rd goals with JT on the pitch. This guy was the best player in the prem (barring Hazard) last season and now people are saying he shouldn't even start, just 3 short months later. By all means, we need Zouma's pace, but not at the expense of everything JT brings to the team. Talk on the Guardian podcast that Mourinho won't even acknowledge JT; I really hope this is not true.

I don't agree with Terry being twice the player Cahill is. He's certainly a bigger influence on the park and the way he reads the game is unmatched, but I think you're doing Cahill a disservice saying he's that far behind JT.

The reality is, whether it be this season or not, Terry is likely to be phased out of the team. Much like Cech, who I still think is a superior goalkeeper to Courtois, there comes a point where it makes sense to give the younger players the opportunity and the responsibility.

Cahill is likely to be at the club for more seasons to come than JT. He won't grow into the role we'll need him to fill if he's being the man sacrificed.

Unpopular opinion, maybe, but that's how I see it. And if JT is on the bench on Sunday, I suspect that this may be part of Jose's logic.

I don't agree with Terry being twice the player Cahill is. 

No offense but that's why my initial question, have you watched chelsea play this and last season? JT is world class, Garry is decent at best 

Well if Oscar and Moses are out I would go with

Courtois

Azibi zouma terry baba

Ramires matic

Willian fabregas hazard

Costa

Subs begovic, ivanovic, Cahill , Pedro , falcao , remy , mikel

Bring Pedro on for the last 15 mins instead of rameris and move fabregas deeper and William to the number 10.