Zouma has only recently come back into their team after injury and of course will not play against us. So I would think also we can leave Hazard on the bench though currently have little faith in Willian and Pedro to deliver the goods. Is this down to Conte or just the fact this season they have not played regularly.

2 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

 So I would think also we can leave Hazard on the bench though currently have little faith in Willian and Pedro to deliver the goods. Is this down to Conte or just the fact this season they have not played regularly.

I think it’s a mix of both. Conte has switched to a 3-5-2  thus, Pedro and Willy haven’t been required as much.

but I do think that Pedro and Willy have dipped in form compared to last season.

 

On his day Willian is still one of our best players.

I expect this to be a low scoring game with Stoke picking up a number of yellow cards and maybe a red late on.

2-0 to Chels written all over it.

Edited December 28, 20178 yr by Famous CFC

No point resting Hazard. How about smashing these defender less Punks and taking him off at Halftime

32 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

No point resting Hazard. How about smashing these defender less Punks and taking him off at Halftime

absolutely true. would also love to see pedro on saturday from the beginning!

On 27/12/2017 at 19:39, CFCCAN said:

This is getting beyond stupid now; this money for maybe an above average central defender is crazy; they'll need to spend another 100 mill to shore up their GK problems and get another defender or two....but there again....who cares about what Liverpool do...hope they continue to buy average Southampton players, I'll take Christensen any day over Van Djik.

Stupid transfer fees, but still ordinary working class fans can't afford to go to games. Football really is a greedy vile industry.

On 27/12/2017 at 21:24, OverAndOut said:

Not possible. He tried to get her but missed by about 30 yards when he tried to score.

It's not his role to score. 

9 hours ago, Cyborg7 said:

It's not his role to score. 

It wasnt Jt's role to score but he did when he found an opening ( You can ask Wayne Bridge). lol

Should be a routine win. Stoke have no defenders left, lol.

Hazard will be rested imo.

2 hours ago, The Don Antonio said:

It wasnt Jt's role to score but he did when he found an opening ( You can ask Wayne Bridge). lol

He already scored 3 goals so far ! But of course if he had scored all assists given he could be to 6 or 7 goals

Gaffer's Pre-match Press conference

 

Another bus parking exercise is in store this afternoon. Mark Hughes will see to that. I'd like to see Kante and Drinkwater in midfield. Consign Fabregas to the bench and drop Bakayoko. Conte seems to be unaware that Kante and Drinkwater won the Premiership playing together at Leicester. It's about time he woke up to that fact. Hazard, Pedro and Morata upfront. Tough match I reckon. We will need to break them down early. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

As usual, our consistency is our no. 1 issue. We cannot take anything for granted.

Next up after this the Arse.

Not one to feel particularly cheerful at the moment.

Agree about our consistency. I think Stoke are struggling to find 2 CBs due to injuries and Zouma being unavailable so this should give us a big advantage yet we need still need to put the ball in the net and not just play tricks and flicks. 

Being clinical is going to be what determines it today I feel.

 

Drinkwater for bakayoko without a doubt

I dont think there is much wrong with how we are playing and if we start to convert more chances someone is in for a hiding,hopefully today.Very windy out there so keep it on the deck.Stoke will park the train never mind the bus.....UP THE CHELS !

@Hemel Blue I think there is actually, I think in the 3-5-2 with Hazard as one of the two he can no longer surprise the opposition and so his shots can be stopped as surprise is lost. 

If we can score from other players by Hazard creating opportunities rather than trying to dribble past three players and score we might make it work yet.

Expecting a win today with a couple of goals at least. 

Edited December 30, 20178 yr by Strider6003

I think this has got to confirm Luiz is on his way out of the club

Luiz ‘injured’

Cahill not Christiansen? WOW !! At least Kante and Drinkwater are in midfield.

1 minute ago, Andy2461 said:

Luiz ‘injured’

I'm sorry but I just don't believe it

I think he's on his way out and the team just wants to keep him wrapped in cotton wool while they organise a transfer out.

Feel free to quote this back to me in February if i'm wrong. But i'm pretty confident here......

Interesting to see hazard rested must be thinking  of the Arsenal game then