Yes, I'd play Giroud as Kabasele is definitely dodgy in the air and Prodl is as slow as my missus.. Watford have horrendous injury problems so, there will never be a better time to play them than now. I can see plenty of goals in this game. 

Odoi and Ampadu are as ready as Cahill, Baka, Barkley, Pedro Zapa, Moses, DD, Cesc,.. plus they doesn't go in the game flying high but down to earth fighting for every ball. So i would rather see us fighting and lose then doing same unproductive routine sh** and then moaning about it. Also Giroud should start.

GO BLUES!

Edited February 2, 20188 yr by Bojc94

9 hours ago, Zeta said:

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Kante and Hazard would get in that side, no-one else.

There's 2 of your subs!!! As good as Kante is, he's not of the standard of lamps, ballack or essien in their pomp!!!

Tibo

Azpi Christensen Cahill (Luiz)

Moses Kante Cesc Alonso

Hudson-Odoi (we all know he won't start, so Pedro) Hazard

Giroud

Lose this and it's almost goodbye to Conte I reckon....

14 hours ago, Famous CFC said:

Or                  Cech

Petrescu   Terry   Carvalho   Le Saux

      Di Matteo     Kante      Lamapard 

Robben       Drogba       Zola

 

Ain't Google a wonderful thing?

             Courtois
Azpi - Rudiger - Luiz - Alonso
    Christensen - Kante
Willian - Fabregas - Hazard
       Morata/Giroud

City/United both away in a few weeks, need to win this and West Brom.

Morata's missed so much football recently, really not what you'd want from your record signing. 

Christensen missing is a blow, hopefully Luiz is fit to play in the middle after Cahill's car crash performance there against Bournemouth. 

EDIT:

Hazard in the false 9 it is then... Christ. 

Edited February 2, 20188 yr by ForeverCarefree

So another false 9 sh*t performance.

Giroud played on tuesday so it can't be that bad, can it?

4 minutes ago, BuBbA said:

So another false 9 sh*t performance.

Giroud played on tuesday so it can't be that bad, can it?

He played 15 mins as a sub. I dont think he has started a game since their europa league expoits. It makes sense to protect him with Morata's Weak back (Weakling)

Edited February 2, 20188 yr by The Don Antonio

Hope we play people on merit and not on their price tag/name.

What i want to see:

Courtois

Azpi  Rudiger  Cahill  Emerson

Kante

Cesc      Ampadu

Willian     Hazard       CHO

What i expect to see:

Courtois

Azpi   Rudiger   Cahill

Moses   Baka   Kante   Alonso

Willian  Hazard   Pedro

Would like to see us utilise a back 4 again if possible.

1 hour ago, the special one said:

             Courtois
Azpi - Rudiger - Luiz - Alonso
    Christensen - Kante
Willian - Fabregas - Hazard
       Morata/Giroud

City/United both away in a few weeks, need to win this and West Brom.

Luiz in a flat back four? Where he would actually have to hold a central position and mark someone? Wow, like that might work!

6-0 Watford

Please no more of this false 9 garbage, had enough.

14 minutes ago, Luca Vialli said:

Please no more of this false 9 garbage, had enough.

We have no choice. Morata doesnt have a backbone and Giroud isnt match fit. 

How about one of these two on short notice? Just stick him up field to occupy a few defenders...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fan-Pack-Chewbacca-Awakens-Cardboard/dp/B0190UXYVM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517585374&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=football+standee

or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fan-Pack-Lifesize-Cardboard-Coltrane/dp/B00G1SRB84/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1517585374&sr=8-4-fkmr0&keywords=football+standee

Probably have similar movement to Torres though.

Eden begin's to think there is a problem with being the false 9

gaffer's pre-match press conference

 

7 hours ago, yorkleyblue said:

Ain't Google a wonderful thing?

Don't use it to be honest. What's it like, Mr. Chelsea? Actually, should rename you Mr. Original. Have some veggies and don't embarrass yourself by coming with stuff like that. 

Edited February 2, 20188 yr by Famous CFC

Seeing as I’ll be up watching the Superbowl until about 3.30am the night before, then up for work at 5.30am.....this better be good to keep me awake!

If it ain't 12:30 on Saturday, it's 20:00 on Monday. Not a fan of any of those times. Sunday 16:00, or 17:30 on a Saturday, thank you very much.

5 hours ago, BuBbA said:

So another false 9 sh*t performance.

Giroud played on tuesday so it can't be that bad, can it?

You would hope as the false 9 takes so much away from edens game.

 

5 hours ago, just said:

Luiz in a flat back four? Where he would actually have to hold a central position and mark someone? Wow, like that might work!

6-0 Watford

Yeah would be a disaster. Though mainly cause he put rudiger as his partner. Put him with Cahill, you can win the cl with that pair you know ;)

4 hours ago, The Don Antonio said:

We have no choice. Morata doesnt have a backbone and Giroud isnt match fit. 

Though with several days we can at least asses how fit he is and if he can play the first half with a view to putting us a ahead for the diddy men to give us the win by counter-attacking.

That would be welcome.

1 hour ago, Blue Exile said:

Seeing as I’ll be up watching the Superbowl until about 3.30am the night before, then up for work at 5.30am.....this better be good to keep me awake!

with you on that!

Good morning my Chelsea mates! Since we are all still reeling a bit from Wednesday's calamity and do not kickoff until Monday, I thought I would get a little analytical and look at two pressing issues: 1. Chances of finishing Fourth or higher and 2. Assessing our tired and thin talent.

First, let's look at our chances at Top 4. There are 13 matches remaining (39 available points). Using a golf analogy, the projected cut line is 76 points, which is the pace Liverpool and we are playing, 2.0 points per match. Additionally, the history of the PL, the highest number of points for a fourth place club is 76, accomplished twice: 2016-17 Liverpool and 2007-08 Liverpool. Furthermore, 75 points is the most ever for a fifth place club, again accomplished last year by Arsenal at 75 points. So, it would appear 76 points is the bogey. Given the high degree of separation this year between the top 5 and the bottom 15, the number for fourth could be just a tad higher, say 78 or so. I believe 77 may just be the magic number for us to be fourth or higher, which is 27 out of the remaining 39 available points. Or nine wins.

You can really group our remaining 13 matches into three categories:

Likely Wins (4) West Brom, Palace, West Ham, Huddersfield;

50/50 or better (7) at Watford, at Burnley, Tottenham, at Southampton, at Swansea, Liverpool, at Newcastle;

Likely Losses (2) at Man Utd, at Man City.

Need to win all of the likely wins and win 5 of the 9 in the other two categories combined. Beating Tottenham and Liverpool at home will go along way.

Looking at our competition:

Man United still has Chelsea, Liverpool, at Man City, Arsenal,

Liverpool still has Tottenham, at Man Utd, at Everton, at Chelsea

Tottenham still has at Liverpool, Arsenal, at Chelsea, Man City

Arsenal still has Tottenham, Man City, at Leicester, at Man United

I believe this will all come down to the last couple of weeks in May.

 

On to the roster.

I think will all agree the team is tired from lack of depth and mentally tired from a lack of change in tactics. I feel the mental part really shows fatigue in gong forward. We seem out of ideas. Being out of the title race early has hurt motivation some, but not as bad as the collapse two year ago.

Courtois - Obviously a world class player, but if Willy is staying, I am not sure there is a huge drop off if Courtois left in the summer. If the price is right, maybe

Willy - I have been pleased. Not sure how long he is signed for, but quality number 2. Much better than Begovic or Schwarzer

Azpilicueta - MOTY in many recent campaigns and just a tireless worker. Mr. Steady. Would not want to lose

Cahill - Personally, I like Cahill's career overall, but has slipped the past two years and unfortunately is playing his way out

Luiz - The Return of Side Show Bob this year. He was a huge reason we won the title last year, but has lost the plot. Headed elsewhere this summer

Rudiger - Shows some ability. Not up to prior Chelsea levels at the position, but I think he cares and plays the best he can

Christensen - The future at CB. Very fundamentally sound. Keeper

Alonso - Brings skill to the wing and set pieces that is sorely needed in this squad. Lampard-esque at free kicks. Gets lazy at time defensively, but a keeper

Zappacosta - See Rudiger

Moses - Probably benefited the most from the Conte system change last year, but with every game slides further and further down the list. I like the guy but we need an upgrade

Kante - a bit of an off year for him, but a must have in midfield

Bakayoko - Though not earning his price tag yet, he is quick, strong and physical. With the right coach, could improve into something good in my opinion

Cesc - Has been a tremendous part of two titles. Incredible vision and passing still, really slow and liability in midfield. This may be his last season in Chelsea blue but I applaud him for his past four years. Very likeable and would be missed

Willian - We all know he is not the best finisher, but he gives us pace going forward, always seems to care, can create, will get defensive minded when needed and a good teammate. Need to keep certainly

Pedro - Was excited about this signing a few years ago. Outside of maybe a three month stretch last year, kind of a meh player. Probably leaves soon.

Barkley - not much to see thus far. Seems out of shape and needs to really work hard in training. Ultimately, I am not sure this signing does much for us.

Hazard - Most talented player on the pitch most any game. Needs another star or two to go with him so teams can not focus on him and punish him physically. This is his SIXTH year for the Chels. He will be sold sometime over the coming few years I would think while his value remains relatively high. Hard to believe he is already 27! Seems just a kid at times. Likeable as well. I hope we keep for at least two more seasons and look for additions to go with him not sell him for additions.

Morata - Great start. Teams figured out quickly not to allow him to beat you over the top and then bam, complete shut down. Huge disappointment thus far physically and with his flops. Very likeable guy. Has little to no hold up play and struggles to score with his feet. Massive potential. Had high hopes. Uncertain if he can adapt to PL style of play.

Batshuayi - Off on loan. Still think there may be something there. Would hate to sell. A new manager might make a difference. Needs to improve hold up play and not always looking to score when he has the ball at his feet.

Musonda - Off on loan. Quick, smart and skilled. Young. High hopes for him. Hope playing at dreaded Celtic further develops him.

Ampudu - Young. Really young. Bright future.

Giroud - Good addition as a second option at number 9. Experienced and proven. Just a little older. Should add quality depth for next 18 months.

Conte - Well, we all love the guy, I think any way. He may have run his course. I am certain the board is tired of his press conference quotes. The players may have Conte fatigue too. Very good coach, and thankful to have him. An honest man with character. He won us a title. You can kind of tell by his sideline reactions or lack thereof he is moving on emotionally. He may have lost the plot tactically at the moment, though not much to work with depth wise with injuries, etc. He yearns for Italy I suppose. Would be shocked if he returns. Wish him the best and hope he gets us top four this year and FA Cup title.

Whew, that's it.

Tell me where I have gone wrong.

Come on you Chelsea!!

 

Edited February 3, 20188 yr by Chelsea Buzz
typo

17 hours ago, The Don Antonio said:

We have no choice. Morata doesnt have a backbone and Giroud isnt match fit. 

I would rather we played an unfit Giroud than go with false 9 again. 

16 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I would rather we played an unfit Giroud than go with false 9 again. 

Same here but the risk is too high, besides Conte says he is just coming back from a muscular injury and hadnt played in 30 days prior to his last Arsenal performance. If he gets injured then we are totally f**ked bcoz older players tend to heal slower when it comes to injury. He should be on the bench just incase but With Willian back the false 9 shouldnt be that bad