Competitive game. If we win will gib-be confidence. If we get thrashed might lead to reinforcements. 

I am hoping and would imagine that Conte doesn't treat it as a friendly and put the players through a fitness session before the game.

There was a reason why in both the Bayern and Inter games we looked sluggish at the start of the game when the other team were full of energy but got more and more into the game as the other team began to tire/ get on a similar level of tiredness as to what our players started the game on. I expect us to play with an intensity form the start of the game that we didn't see in pre-season, especially when Kante of all people was starting the preseason games looking tired. 

Looking forward to seeing a big performance from the team today and I wouldn't be surprised if we see Bats with a hat trick.

Come on you Blues, 4-0 Chelsea.

 

It's Arsenal, so it is important.

Come on you Chelsea!! 

4 hours ago, TheBluesBrother said:

Don't fancy our chances with so many important players missing. The Fabregas/Kante partnership doesn't work for me. I reckon it will be a re-run of the FA CUP Final. 3-1 to Arsenal. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.                                                                                             COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

^ this font is an essential part of the pre match build up

Edited August 6, 20178 yr by One Tommy Langley

Morata on the bench./ Batshayu up front.

Chelsea team: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro.

 

Chelsea subs today: Caballero, Rudiger, Christensen, Scott, Boga, Musonda, Morata.

Seriously that midfielder depth is really really bad can't believe the board allowed this 

Team News

Courtois, Alonso, Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Pedro, Batshayui, Willian

Subs

Cabellero, Rudiger, Morata, Musonda, Christensen, Scott, Boga

Fab on the pitch as a CM, Scott on the bench as the only CM option.

God Save us!!!

So Baker can't even make the bench with basically no-one else available.

where's baker? so sad to see him not involved yet again.

1 minute ago, Zeta said:

So Baker can't even make the bench with basically no-one else available.

i refuse to believe he's not impressing conte. he's one of our most talented younger players. i mean, how good is scott ffs? 

I hope the result has nothing to do with our transfers and I don't think it will.

I think Pedro and Bats have a good game. Hope to see Morata and Musonda feature as well.

What a chance for Batshuayi to lead us, really hope he will do the job for us!

COME ON CHELS!!!!

5 minutes ago, DidierDrogbalala said:

Seriously that midfielder depth is really really bad can't believe the board allowed this 

it's only bad because bakayoko is injured and baker seems to garner zero faith, yet again. 

Just now, enigma said:

it's only bad because bakayoko is injured and baker seems to garner zero faith, yet again. 

I know but we need more than one midfielder on the bench .... at least there a lot of youth 

3 minutes ago, enigma said:

i refuse to believe he's not impressing conte. he's one of our most talented younger players. i mean, how good is scott ffs? 

It's clear that conte values first defensive acumen in a two man midfield.  Now we are clearly in trouble because only kante fits the mold of a cm currently in contes preferred 2 man midfield.  Cesc obviously gets the nod as a proven CL player, and baker is not really known for his defense.  Still shocking that Scott makes the side though 

come on bats. hope he scores a hat trick lol

At least the arsenal starting XI doesn't look that great 

Just now, DidierDrogbalala said:

At least the arsenal starting XI doesn't look that great 

Whats the team?

I'm going to embarrass myself as a plastic fan but.....who is Scott?

2 minutes ago, didierforever said:

Whats the team?

Lacazette iwobi Welbeck OX xhaka elnely bellerin monreal metersaker holding cech 

no ozil or Sanchez on the bench 

Edited August 6, 20178 yr by DidierDrogbalala

I think they will miss Sanchez than we do with Hazard, believe we will win this game, just because another lose it's Jose 2015 again.

Odd to see Baker not in the team. Perhaps a sign he is heading out on loan again.