Very defensive ??

Well that's that.

No matter what he does he will play, simply embarrassing.

Those wanting a Matic - Mikel midfield will be pleased.

Those wanting Ivanovic out won't be... Mourinho is stubborn... Honestly why spend 22 mln on a left back and play a centreback instead? Worst thing is that everyone knows that they need to focus on Ivanovic's side.

 

Team to face Everton (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry ©, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Pedro, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa

Edited September 12, 201510 yr by Jon Stakes

We knew this would happen, Ivan keeps his place.

Sigh.

Team to face Everton (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry ©, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Pedro, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa.

Chelsea Subs: Blackman, Cahill, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Willian, Falcao, Remy

So Branna plays, hopefully Mikel will give us more stability alongside Mati? with Fabregas pushing up.

Edited September 12, 201510 yr by KURT.5

Everton XI - Howard, Coleman, Jagielka ©, Stones, Galloway, Barry, McCarthy, Besic, Barkley, Kone, Lukaku

As expected tbh. Going to be a cautious game.

of all the players to drop, willian was a long way down the list for me. ivanovic would be number 1 on the drop-list for me

If ivanovic has another shocker with 2 defensive midfielders in front of him, then the writing must surely be on the wall.

All eyes will be on Ivan's side... Even Jose's

Jose has no idea what he's doing.

Wow Wow Wow Ivan starts ...just wow....

I'm glad Mikel's starting

What happened Rahman? Is he ever going to be ready to play?

Disappointed with the starting line but it doesn't matter now, let's just support the players that play! 

Pretty much exactly the XI I would have gone for. I think we can cause a lot of damage on the break, hoping for massive performances from Hazard and Pedro.

What happened Rahman? Is he ever going to be ready to play?

 

Lad's 21 and been at the club for less than a month....

3-1 Everton. f**k this sh*t

My prayers were answered, Mikel will save us. 

Expected lineup really, Jos? is tired of shipping goals in. Thought we would see Ramires and not Mikel but since Rami is still injured this was the next logical move. Going to be a tight one this, we are likely setting up extremely defensive and hope to nick a goal on the counter or by some individual brilliance by one of our skill players. 0-0 or 0-1 would be my guess, leaning towards the former

Ivan.

Genuinely lost for words.

Jose deserves real heat if we lose today.

Mikel is exactly what we need. Hopefully he will offer some protection to our defence whilst Ivan is at the other end of the pitch scampering back in a vain attempt to do some actual defending. Probably with his arms behind his back, just 'cause, you know, why not.

Lad's 21 and been at the club for less than a month....

So what! Didn't pay 20 mill for him to have a 'breaking in' period.

And 21 is not young for a footballer these days.if you're good enough, you're old enough.

If that line-up were on the pitch as a 4-3-3 (Mikel deep), then I would feel a lot better than a 4-2-3-1 with Fabregas going AWOL in the #10 position *again*. If Oscar were fit and in there instead I would have no problem...even if Mikel's lack of playing time lately pretty much makes it a coinflip as to whether he's going to have one of his more effective games or one of those where he's being a human post for others to dribble around.

 

Got to be effective on the break!

Nah, still think we need to loan him out to a championship side that won't play him.