Surprised not to see Hazard start. Even more surprised to see Fabregas not on the bench. Must have a niggle. 

Annoyed that CHO and Ampadu aren't in squad and not convinced by Luiz and Alonso together as really Christensen and Emerson seem stronger defensively but there we go.

 

Pleased that Barkley and RLC are both in squad. 

 

Interested to see how Kepa gets on having spoken very little english. 

Just now, Spiller86 said:

Surprised not to see Hazard start. Even more surprised to see Fabregas not on the bench. Must have a niggle. 

He's injured.

Wouldn't be surprised if CHO doesn't get any playing time in the epl this season. He deserved it on the base of that pre season. But we have bigger names that cost more money than him who are being favoured apparently.

Just now, Sindre said:

Crazy, going for names over who's actually performed.
Ampadu was our best CB in pre-season and he's also nowhere to be seen.

Not a great sign for the youngsters.

It's disappointing to not see hudson-odoi, but lets be fair we finished fifth last season and  we have a new coach, it was expected. I expected the youngsters to start in the cup and EL group games anyway. 

2 minutes ago, DidierDrogbalala said:

Don't understand why we have zappacosta and Moses on the bench , shouldn't we have Emerson instead of one of them ?

My thoughts. Seriously what is the point of having both of Moses and Zappacosta? 

No fabregas on the bench, so appears that RLC is ahead of him in the pecking order. I’d have Emerson over both Moses and Zappa. 

 

Anyway, come on chels!!!!

Ah, the season has definitely started now, a match day thread full of moaning and whinging. 

10 minutes ago, Sindre said:

Kepa, Azpi, Rudi, Luiz, Alonso, Jorg, Kante, barkley, Pedro, Willian, Morata.

Thats the team.

Disappointing XI. Luiz and Alonso shouldn't be there and CHO deserve to start.

Nope those of you who said the moaning will start at 20 or 10 minutes in you are wrong. Starts before kickoff cause I agree that is bs that CHO and ampadu are not in the team, not even the bench. Two of our better preseason performers left out all together. Disappointing.

Well if just is right we are about to see a lot of goals at least since luiz is in a back 4.

1 minute ago, zes said:

My thoughts. Seriously what is the point of having both of Moses and Zappacosta? 

Maybe the thought is that Moses will play further forward and Azpi can shift to LB in place of Alonso if Zappa comes on.  Not saying I agree with it, but I would imagine that's the thinking behind it.

Just now, CFCholland said:

Wouldn't be surprised if CHO doesn't get any playing time in the epl this season. He deserved it on the base of that pre season. But we have bigger names that cost more money than him who are being favoured apparently.
 

They also more experienced and done more at the top level. The youngsters need to be gradually given game time and cameos. 

oh dear...same sh*t different day......don't see any fast paced free flowing football today.  Sarri is just playing it safe and hopes to leave Huddersfield with a point still early days.

Luiz over Christensen, no Ampadu or Hudson-Odoi on the bench, room for Moses though apparently & Alonso starts, same old really, regardless let’s get the 3 points, c’mon Chelsea.

3 minutes ago, TheBluesBrother said:

He's injured.

Cheers, makes sense after the Arsenal friendly. Tbh CHO is still 17 and shouldn't be expected to start over an experienced pro like Willian. If we were going to do that we would have sold Willian and pocketed 60m.

3 minutes ago, DannyVblue said:

No fabregas on the bench, so appears that RLC is ahead of him in the pecking order. I’d have Emerson over both Moses and Zappa. 

 

Anyway, come on chels!!!!

Cesc is injured

While I agree Ampadu and Hudson Odoi showed a lot of potential in pre-season, I don't think I'd be gambling with either in the season opener. Sarri's first few weeks/months will be figuring who works best in his system, of course the more experienced/senior guys will feature first.

I'm optimistic about this one. There's obviously weaknesses and Huddersfield are a strong side, but I think this will be a good game and a great opportunity to kickstart the season in the right way. Hoping for an aggressive, attacking performance, and a goal or two for Morata to wake him up in 2018.

Has long has Baka ain't nowhere near the team iam a happy chappy....KTBFFH!!! 

Just now, Spiller86 said:

Cheers, makes sense after the Arsenal friendly. Tbh CHO is still 17 and shouldn't be expected to start over an experienced pro like Willian. If we were going to do that we would have sold Willian and pocketed 60m.

Don't think people were complaining about him not starting, it was more the fact we have both Zappa and Moses on the bench when one of those could have dropped out for CHO.

1 minute ago, Michael said:

Don't think people were complaining about him not starting, it was more the fact we have both Zappa and Moses on the bench when one of those could have dropped out for CHO.

How is that different to having hazard and Cho on the bench?

Sarri out.

7 minutes ago, enigma said:

It's disappointing to not see hudson-odoi, but lets be fair we finished fifth last season and  we have a new coach, it was expected. I expected the youngsters to start in the cup and EL group games anyway. 

Yeah, with the players that start today so why don't give our best performers in pre-season a chance? It's not exactly world-beaters we are lining up with up front for example.

Don't care for Alonso as an LB for reasons posted here already, particularly in a higher-line. The faster Emerson would be preferable (who isn't even on the bench - why? Is he unfit?). 

Callum Hudson-Odoi should have made the bench. His pace and trickery can burn seasoned defenders. Who better than him to go up against tired defenders on the left flank as the game draws to a close?

I'd prefer Christensen over David Luiz but I'm not sure he's fully fit. At least Luiz/Azpi/Alonso can communicate with Kepa. 

Am somewhat surprised that Kepa's been selected. Sarri obviously thought very highly of him and so has thrown Kepa into the team in a bid to challenge Kepa to justify Sarri's faith in him. 

Alonso as an LB might be replaced quickly. I'd replace him with Azpi as LB, shutting down the left flank, and bringing in Moses as an attacking RB to drive forward correspondingly.

6 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

Cheers, makes sense after the Arsenal friendly. Tbh CHO is still 17 and shouldn't be expected to start over an experienced pro like Willian. If we were going to do that we would have sold Willian and pocketed 60m.

But would you have Moses (who should have been sold) on the bench instead of him? 

It didn't take long ,did it? Jesus, it's just the first game. 

Edited August 11, 20187 yr by Giordano_Bruno

1 minute ago, DaRick said:

Don't care for Alonso as an LB for reasons posted here already, particularly in a higher-line. The faster Emerson would be preferable (who isn't even on the bench - why? Is he unfit?). 

Callum Hudson-Odoi should have made the bench. His pace and trickery can burn seasoned defenders. Who better than him to go up against tired defenders on the left flank as the game draws to a close?

I'd prefer Christensen over David Luiz but I'm not sure he's fully fit. At least Luiz/Azpi/Alonso can communicate with Kepa. 

Am somewhat surprised that Kepa's been selected. Sarri obviously thought very highly of him and so has thrown Kepa into the team in a bid to challenge Kepa to justify Sarri's faith in him. 

Alonso as an LB might be replaced quickly. I'd replace him with Azpi as LB, shutting down the left flank, and bringing in Moses as an attacking RB to drive forward correspondingly.

Dunno about that mate. Alonso seems to have the strongest plot armour there is even more than Harry Potter. Guys is virtually untouchable. Has been either average or dreadful so far as LB this pre-season but gets selected anyway. Whatever lets just see how today pans out.