Regardless of the Hazard no show Cesc should be starting this anyway. We don't have to be worried about Stoke building up, they'll operate on long balls and countering. We need Cesc to break down the 10 men they'll have in their own half

Man u have done Hazard exactly as stoke would have done, they'll do the same on Costa today and looking at Costas mood lately the outcome is gonna be bad. Hate to say it but.

Potters are very tough at home. 

Another game another breakthrough needed.

So no hazard then.

 

These c**ts always try their hardest against us and intentionally are always dirty

56 minutes ago, Kev56 said:

Man u have done Hazard exactly as stoke would have done, they'll do the same on Costa today and looking at Costas mood lately the outcome is gonna be bad. Hate to say it but.

I think the opposite. I'm hopeful Diego will have a banner day

2mChelsea FC? @ChelseaFC

Chelsea 11 v Stoke (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Pedro. #STKCHE

 

Bit disappointed as I wanted to see zouma and Dave but happy Moses is fit, would like to see fab start 2 dm's against stoke for what? 

Hmmm...don't see the need for Matic against Stoke, especially since Hazard is missing. Stoke have also proven they can frustrate better sides. 

A bit too defensive a lineup for mine.

If costa has a bad day in the absence of hazard who do we look to for a goal, Pedro? 

I guess we want more aerial presence, hence Matic. We're being tactically cautious.

3 minutes ago, ashwin said:

I guess we want more aerial presence, hence Matic. We're being tactically cautious.

But Matic isn't very good in the air. He rarely wins any challenges in the air.

Edited March 18, 20179 yr by Scott Harris

Without hazard or cesc to provided for him I do not expect to see the best of Diego today. Probably will be a few frustrated posts with him on here. Only way I see a goal is Pedro... Although willian does have a habit of scoring the odd goal or double against mid to lower table sides so you never know. 

I would have played 3-5-2 with Kante-Fabregas-Matic in central midfield and Costa-Pedro in attack. I guess Conte wants to make sure we win the battle at start and put Fabregas on when Stoke has tired legs.

The creativity in the Chelsea team is scary. Expecting Costa to get the hump.

Hazard's a significant absence one way or another.

Still have a bad feeling that Stoke will make life difficult for us, so I'll be happy with any kind of win no matter the circumstances.

it's a team sport. We've been very lucky re injuries this season. Conte on telly now  JT & Haz didn't travel slight problem w the both.

Team sport - still a very strong line up. A draw won't be the end of the world but I'm going for 1-2.

 

come on Chelsea 

Hazard not playing. Oh well I'm sure we'll cope. 2-1 Chelsea

Surprised to see Fabregas not start in the absence of Hazard.

I guess we'll be looking to Kante to score another worldie today then. 

What are the subs?

Just now, Nevamind said:

What are the subs?

Bego, ZOuma, Ake, Chalobah, RLC, Febregas, Batman

With no Hazard, i would have expected Fabregas to start. The others will have to step up and create chances today.

No Hazard and Fabs it seems.

I hope we score first as our stats show we are better off if we did.

 

Edited March 18, 20179 yr by bloodyfool0

Come on Chelsea let's do this.

 

Just emigrated to Aus. The 3pm kick offs are the hardest!! 2am...

KTBFFH