Posted August 28, 20168 yr As if you haven't had a skin full of international football for one summer, along comes the most inconvenient break of them all, just as we got our mojo back, typical.
August 28, 20168 yr Gonna get in nice and early with the crystal ball for this one. It's another unorthodox one but it was nearly right with the score against Burnley. If only Moses didn't score at the end I like the score for this one as well. Here are the predictions: Chelsea (4-2-4): Courtois; Ivanovi? ©, Cahill, Miazga, Azpilicueta; Kanté, Mati?; Willian, Batshuayi, Oscar, Pedro Subs: Eduardo, Aina, Chalobah, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Fà bregas, Hazard Prediction: Swansea City 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard) So, Hazard comes off the bench to net the winner, Miazga starts at centre back, Batshuayi and Oscar are the strike partnership and Eduardo is on the bench for the first time. Hmm...
August 28, 20168 yr I hate this international break, we had a good run and hopefully we will continue in that form. Let's hope City will lose points against West Ham today and we will stay at the top. Most important thing is that our players will come back without injuries, fully motivated and ready to continue.Â
August 28, 20168 yr Seems am the only one who enjoys going into the international break when we are top of the table.
August 31, 20168 yr So will we see the new boys in action or will Conte bed them in slowly? --------------------Tibo----------------- Azpi-------Luiz------Terry-------Alonso ---------Oscar---Kante--------Matic-------- Willian--------------Costa--------Hazard Â
September 1, 20168 yr --------------------Tibo----------------- Ivan-------Luiz------Terry-------"Dave" ---------Fabs-------Kante--------Matic-------- Willian-------------Costa--------Hazard  Subs: Begovic, Cahill, Alonso, Oscar, Moses, RLC, BatmanÂ
September 1, 20168 yr Why are people benching GC? Did you guys see Luiz's performance against Monaco? For me, iva should be benched with azpi moving to the right and alonso slotting at LB. I hope this also means that Cesc can play on the right side of midfield now that he wont have to cover for Iva.  Tibo Azpi-GC-JT-Alonso Cesc-Kante-Matic Willian-Costa-Hazard Â
September 1, 20168 yr Well, Interesting to see how we line up now with the additions of Alonso and Luiz. We have played 3 league games and won 3 so do we need to change the winning formula? i can't see him drastically changing the back 4 yet. anyhow my team would be  courtois Azbi-Luiz-Terry-Alonso Kante William Fabrgas Matic Hazard Costa  Subs, Begovic, Cahill, Ivan, Oscar, Bats, Moses, Pedro    Â
September 1, 20168 yr My initial thoughts were that Conte isn't going to get a huge amount of time to work with the new signings given the international break, but apparently Luiz has withdrawn from the Brazil squad and Alonso has never been called up in his life. That said, I wouldn't be hugely surprised if he stuck with the same starting XI for the time being. We seem to be building some momentum and recognisable patterns of play and I assume Conte would be loath to interrupt that. Swansea were truly awful against Leicester, and their squad is a bit of a mess. This is a great opportunity to put some distance between us and one or both of the Manchester clubs, and is one we would have no excuses in missing.
September 1, 20168 yr 6 minutes ago, Chelsbear said: Wouldn't have Oscar starting especially next to Matic. Oscar loves playing against SwanseaÂ
September 1, 20168 yr What I reckon we'll see:  Courtois Ivanovic - Luiz - Terry - Dave Kante Willian - Matic - Oscar - Hazard Costa  Long term I think Luiz will replace JT in the back four. I think when JT signed the 12 month extension he accepted a lesser role within in the team and I think Conte will be looking to build the back four for future seasons. Ivanovic will keep his place for this game because I don't think Conte will won't to make too many changes straight away, especially coming off the back of a solid performance and clean sheet against Burnley. Ultimately I think JT and Ivan make way for the new signings mainly to give us a bit more pace possibly with a view to playing higher up the pitch.Â
September 1, 20168 yr 23 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said: My initial thoughts were that Conte isn't going to get a huge amount of time to work with the new signings given the international break, but apparently Luiz has withdrawn from the Brazil squad and Alonso has never been called up in his life. That said, I wouldn't be hugely surprised if he stuck with the same starting XI for the time being. We seem to be building some momentum and recognisable patterns of play and I assume Conte would be loath to interrupt that. Swansea were truly awful against Leicester, and their squad is a bit of a mess. This is a great opportunity to put some distance between us and one or both of the Manchester clubs, and is one we would have no excuses in missing. Yeah I cant see Conte going away from the lineup he has started with. Hes slowly started to get his way of playing across, he wont start drilling in a new 11 so soon of top of that. I predict Luiz and Alonso on the bench and 80% of the forum will lose its mind when it happens
September 1, 20168 yr I think Cahill has started the season quite well personally so wouldn't be surprised if JT makes way for Luiz. I'm sure Conte will be aware how bad Ivanovic was against Swansea last season so I think it's likely Alonso starts. Oscar I can't see being dropped after his performance v Burnley, he didn't make headlines but I think Conte would have been impressed with his link up play. I think we'll go with; (4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1)         Tibo Azpi -- Cahill -- Luiz -- Alonso      Kante -- Matic  Willian -- Oscar -- Hazard         Diego Edited September 1, 20168 yr by the special one
September 1, 20168 yr Just remembered Willian is out in South America, and will be playing at high altitude tonight against Ecuador, Pedro will be training all week at Cobham with Conte so i think Pedro will probably start this game ahead of Willian.
September 1, 20168 yr 4 hours ago, the special one said: I think Cahill has started the season quite well personally so wouldn't be surprised if JT makes way for Luiz. I'm sure Conte will be aware how bad Ivanovic was against Swansea last season so I think it's likely Alonso starts. Oscar I can't see being dropped after his performance v Burnley, he didn't make headlines but I think Conte would have been impressed with his link up play. I think we'll go with; (4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1)         Tibo Azpi -- Cahill -- Luiz -- Alonso      Kante -- Matic  Willian -- Oscar -- Hazard         Diego  I think both Cahill and Terry have started well. I would go with Terry though, 1) He's better and 2) He would have played no international football so will be fresher than Cahill.
September 1, 20168 yr 3-5-2 has long been touted as his preferred formation so it's up to us to guess what it looks like based on what we got.. Â - BI - JT -DL - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NK DA -- NM -- MA ------ EH ------- ---- MB -- DC ---- If that's the 3-5-2 conte is thinking then I'm not convinced.. he's just playing it safe.. As a fan, I'm not asking too much, I just want quality players are put on the pitch... cesc and batshuayi along with kante and hazard should be in the starting XI, azpi restored to his natural position, lesser gametime for suspect players like ivanovic,matic oscar etc... Â Â Â
September 1, 20168 yr These f((king international friendlies... hate them so much. The season just began and now... 2 weeks without Chelsea..  What I want to see:        Courtois Ivanovic   Cahill  Terry       Kante    Luiz Willian    Fabregas   Hazard      Michy       Diego  What I expect: Courtois Ivanovic  Luiz   Terry   Dave    Oscar   Kante    Matic   Willian         Hazard          Diego  I'm so thirsty for a new formation. Remember, we won the league twice with 4-3-3, then we won it with Carlo's  4-1-2-1-2, 2 years ago we won it with 4-2-3-1... it's time to prove the stupid journalists that 3-5-2 is capable to bring trophies at this league. Edited September 1, 20168 yr by Pendergast
September 1, 20168 yr I reckon ivan and Cahill will be dropped for this one. Other than that business as usual. I hope cesc will start, but not so sure.Â
September 1, 20168 yr I'd like to see Luiz in (although given freedom of choice it'd be for Matic rather than Cahill) but I'd be surprised if we change a thing unless injuries dictate. Can't see Alonso coming in straight away either (I personally think Ivan and Azpi have had good starts), and it'd very odd to make 2 changes at the back. Fabregas and Batshuayi have turned games from the bench, but I think any of the first XI could feel pretty hard done by being dropped. Hope we continue where we left off, this will be a long weekend waiting.
September 2, 20168 yr 11 hours ago, bola said: 3-5-2 has long been touted as his preferred formation It's not, the media say that because most of the media are incredibly stupid. Â
September 2, 20168 yr 14 hours ago, bola said: 3-5-2 has long been touted as his preferred formation so it's up to us to guess what it looks like based on what we got.. Â - BI - JT -DL - Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NK DA -- NM -- MA ------ EH ------- ---- MB -- DC ---- If that's the 3-5-2 conte is thinking then I'm not convinced.. he's just playing it safe.. As a fan, I'm not asking too much, I just want quality players are put on the pitch... cesc and batshuayi along with kante and hazard should be in the starting XI, azpi restored to his natural position, lesser gametime for suspect players like ivanovic,matic oscar etc... Â Â Â Whose DA?
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