1 minute ago, Raven8er said:

Interesting to note - no Lascelles nor Shelvey for Newcastle...

That's a huge bonus for us, both of them are superb. 

Great team. Finally we've got all of our starters on the pitch at the same time. We don't need only the win, we need to send a message to Liverpool, City, Abramovich and the FA. 

Sarri previously said he likes having two wingers on the bench, interesting then that he’s picked both Barkley and RLC ahead of Moses today.

Team looks strong today, will be interesting to see how the weather affects the possession based football, if at all. 

Newcastle missing a couple of key players, so on paper it all looks in our favour... so fully expect a frustrating afternoon! 

Looks like Newcastle will defend with 5 at the back.

 

I was expecting Hazard to be named captain when he finally started a game?

That midfield of ours.... Damn, can't help but get excited.

So Willian, is the one that misses out today. Still good to see we are starting strongly.

 

My thoughts:

1) Impressive side. Great to see Kovacic fully fit. 

2) Willian on the bench? Well he has been very useful at times coming off the bench - I remember in December 2016 he scored a counter-attacking goal against Manchester City. Could be useful against tired legs?

3) Clearly, Sarri is counting on Pedro's predatory movement and finishing against what will be a tight defence.

4) I have misgivings about this game because of Newcastle's past record, but I could very well see Sarri's attacking 4-4-3 comfortably defeat Newcastle, who've not convinced all season long (assuming that the other player's aren't spooked about St James Park). 

5) However, Benitez still has it within him to frustrate sides by setting up very deep (and indeed appears to be doing so). Fortunate that Lascelles is injured then. Deprives Newcastle of their best CB, aerial threat and aerial defence should we cross too often. 

NOW, I'll be falling asleep so probably won't get to watch this. C'MON CHELSEA! BLAST THAT PARKED BUS!

Edited August 26, 20187 yr by DaRick
Missing info

We are going to annihilate them with that team...I would hope. Horrible weather today. 

Yeah Rafa is gonna pack the sh*t out the game and rely on counter attacks........that freaking high-line of ours will do us if not careful.

I think we will leak a couple of goals but still be on the winning side of the score line....all I hope is that he has worked on the defence since last weeks heart attack defending.

Love seeing The disdainful look Souness gives when someone trying to explain this new way to play, Watch the ball not the man, 

C'MON CHELS!!!

here we go lets kick hazard

So bored of all the pundits focussing on the negatives of the new system....hope we win today to shut them up

Looks like the plan is to kick Hazard of the pitch.

Act 1, kick Eden.........

1 minute ago, The Brit said:

So bored of all the pundits focussing on the negatives of the new system....hope we win today to shut them up

Thats the media for you.......love their darlings, hate Chels.

Remarkable how that's wasn't at least a yellow...shocking challenge 

No space here. Will be a tough game. 

Just now, atomis said:

Thats the media for you.......love their darlings, hate Chels.

Thing is we get it...we defended like crap for 15 minutes against Arsenal's...but where was the balance? The focus on our beautiful football that has won us six point scoring out of six

Slow start here, much slower than last week.

They will sit Deep, they will kick our players with impunity, the refs will allow it and so on..........I so hate playing at their ground........we are awful there and they are always up for it when we come to town.

Jorginho has not started well 

3 minutes ago, The Brit said:

Thing is we get it...we defended like crap for 15 minutes against Arsenal's...but where was the balance? The focus on our beautiful football that has won us six point scoring out of six

Balanced? Beautiful footy? These are only mentioned when pool spurs etc are on............