I adore how calm and relaxed Sarri is in these pause silent situations - many would have broken and speak, he is like iron. 

Important to keep our momentum, we played some good football and it requires a good condition. Hazard looks great, he has to keep his spot in the starting lineup. 

I'd go with that lineup:

-------- Kepa ---------

Azpi - Rudiger - Luiz - Alonso

--- Kante --- Jorginho ---

--------- Kovacic -------

Pedro - Giroud - Hazard

 

COME ON CHELS! Let's keep our great run boys!

Just flown in from Sydney in time for this. Super excited to be back at the bridge up in the shed end for this one. Agree Pedro for Willian no brainer on current form and recent travel. Barkley could start ahead of Kovacic as more rested but I reckon either way one will replace the other during the game, as with Morata and Giroud. Did Luiz go to Brazil? If not I doubt Sarri will change the back 3 1/2. 

Just need an early goal to make sure I don’t feel the jet lag.

Just now, mickydroysleftpeg said:

Did Luiz go to Brazil?

He didn't play in the match vs The US. I didn't watch Brazil play El Salvador, but I am believing that Side Show Bob stayed in the UK.

GAMEDAY!! COME ON CHELS!!!

Proper football is back!!!

Come on Chelsea !!!

Game Day at The Bridge.

Match day at last UP THE CHELS !

Real football at last - come on Chelsea! 

14 hours ago, IliyaKrostin said:

Important to keep our momentum, we played some good football and it requires a good condition. Hazard looks great, he has to keep his spot in the starting lineup. 

I'd go with that lineup:

-------- Kepa ---------

Azpi - Rudiger - Luiz - Alonso

--- Kante --- Jorginho ---

--------- Kovacic -------

Pedro - Giroud - Hazard

 

COME ON CHELS! Let's keep our great run boys!

me too, but he will stick with Morata up front

Despite what Warnock says, I suspect Cardiff will defend for their lives. 10 men behind the ball and try and catch us on a quick counter. Pedro to start with all the other usual suspects. Moratta to start with Giroud coming on second half. This could be more difficult than a lot of fans think. A draw between Spurs and Liverpool would be ideal. Let's hope we can do it today. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

Early pressure, early goal and keep the momentum going, should walk this 4-0.

 

17 minutes ago, Kev56 said:

Early pressure, early goal and keep the momentum going, should walk this 4-0.

 

Well now we're doomed to a 1-2 defeat, thanks a lot.

1 hour ago, TheBluesBrother said:

A draw between Spurs and Liverpool would be ideal. Let's hope we can do it today.

I would be totally fine if Liverpool wins that.

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

I would be totally fine if Liverpool wins that.

Why? They are our nearest rival. We need to win and Liverpool need to drop points and we go top.

Giroud starts. That's a surprise.

It’s a bit embarrassing that our £60m record signing centre forward isn’t deemed good enough to start a home game against Cardiff.

Must be expecting Colin to park the bus from the start. 

Could have started Barkley for the extra goal threat if that's the case, but clearly Kovacic is superior defensively and is better at retaining possession. 

Don't know what it is with this particular break since the World Cup just concluded.

Am looking forward to keeping our winning start to the season. Pressure is on with Liverpool looking to secure a memorable win at Wembley against the Spuds.

Am hoping Cardiff do not hold any surprises for us.

Win for Chelsea, think it will be closer than original thoughts, 2-1. 

Morata on the bench, excellent news. 

I suspect Sarri thinks they will play behind the ball and Giroud is better at knock downs for other players.

So does this mean sarri has picked dave as our new captain?  He was going to pick aftert the international break right?

55 minutes ago, TheBluesBrother said:

Why? They are our nearest rival. We need to win and Liverpool need to drop points and we go top.

For me top 4 is the benchmark, somewhere in January I'll start thinking about more than that.