Personally, I wish we weren’t in it but since we are in it how do should we treat it? Do we play a weakened team or our strongest or a mix of both? 

On one hand I want us to keep the winning streak going but this is a brutal competition that can affect a team’s title winning chances. Playing on sundays constantly after our rivals and probably playing catch up can affect us in the long run as well. 

We will have around 10-20 non league games this season. We have to save players for the 38 league games, and use other players for the 10-20 cup games.

50-60 game seasons are beyond most players nowadays.

I think at the beginning we can afford to play weaker teams and still win very comfortably, I mean the teams we're up against in the group stages are hardly difficult. 

However coming into the KO stages (depending on who we play) we have to bring in more and more of our regular starters

Would definitely play kepa? Think he needs the game time and experience? Doesnt look too sharp just yet in my opinion.

then i would say a completely different starting lineup? To be able to play in the league with fresh legs will be such an advantage,you only have to look at contes first season as proof.

would even consider same europa league squad in the domestic cups also.

Kepa

Emerson

Christensen

Amps/Cahill

Zappa

Fabregas/drinkwater

Barkley

Loftus-cheek

Hudson Odoi

Pedro/Willian

Morata/Giroud

14 minutes ago, Chelseafitzy said:

Would definitely play kepa? Think he needs the game time and experience? Doesnt look too sharp just yet in my opinion.

then i would say a completely different starting lineup? To be able to play in the league with fresh legs will be such an advantage,you only have to look at contes first season as proof.

would even consider same europa league squad in the domestic cups also.

Kepa

Emerson

Christensen

Amps/Cahill

Zappa

Fabregas/drinkwater

Barkley

Loftus-cheek

Hudson Odoi

Pedro/Willian

Morata/Giroud

Agreed, I would start Kepa and let Willy have the domestic cup matches.  Also really want to see Emerson get some time, as well.

26 minutes ago, Chelseafitzy said:

Would definitely play kepa? Think he needs the game time and experience? Doesnt look too sharp just yet in my opinion.

then i would say a completely different starting lineup? To be able to play in the league with fresh legs will be such an advantage,you only have to look at contes first season as proof.

would even consider same europa league squad in the domestic cups also.

Kepa

Emerson

Christensen

Amps/Cahill

Zappa

Fabregas/drinkwater

Barkley

Loftus-cheek

Hudson Odoi

Pedro/Willian

Morata/Giroud

That’s actually a very good idea. Sometimes I forget that we actually do have some depth in the squad. 

We should be aiming to win this competition IMO. It is a way to get into the CL for the winners, and we are not guaranteed a top 4 place.

In the group stages, just play second-string sides for the most part.

Once we enter the KO rounds, we can contemplate playing our regulars. 

It really depends on how much chance we have of making Top 4. As it stands we have quite a good chance of doing so and so in that light I think that the EL would serve as an unnecessary distraction.

Should that change (or look like changing) then we should then go all out to win the EL. 

Agree with most of what has been said already. We have depth enough for the early stages so save our best for the PL.

Not sure if all the players mentioned are in EL squad.

Looking forward to seeing Ampadu get some game time. He deserves it and could even push for some PL game time if he plays well.

To piggy back on the GK situation, I think this is the best situation you'll ever see to give a 3rd keeper minutes. Mr. Bulka deserves time on the pitch off his preseason performances. 

That will mean we have 3 different keepers start in a given week but let's be honest, Willy will be here 1 more season maximum and we'll be in for another backup unless we test Bulka and prove he's capable or not in competitive situations. 

Green should never see the field for us. Period. He's only 3rd in terms of wages at this point. 

#EuropaBulka

Edited September 17, 20187 yr by TheChelseaBlues

I'd rotate until the KO rounds, we should easily win 4 group games and that would see us through, more than likely top of the group.

Its only when we see what teams drop in from the CL should we re-align our goals, get a favourable draw and we could easily win it, right now, we're by far the best side in the competition, if a Atletico Madrid or another European power house drops in though, its a different kettle fish but I'd be pi**ed off if we dont at least make the semi final at this point.

Obviously it depends on teams out by CL groups, anyway I think that Chelsea will be one of the strongest teams in KO rounds, so we have to do our best in order to go to the final. 

We should treat it like I like to call it : the thursday nightclub cup. I.e, put the B team till the Quarter-finals / Semi-finals, and then put back the A team if you're still in it. Otherwise, and since we have an actual chance to finish top 4, I'd disregard it totally since the only utility it has is qualifying for UCL if you don't finish in top 4. 2013 was particular as it made Chelsea FC the first ever english team to win all 3 European Competitions ( C1, C2 and C3). Now that we've done it and are the first in england's history to have done it, unless we're not fighting for top 4/PL title, this competition is a good excuse for using our B team until QF/SF. Once we've reached that point, then it would be a shame not to play the usual suspects since it's still considered as a trophy and would close the gap with pool and utd european trophies (11 and 8 for them ; 5 for us with 1 UCL 1UEL  2 CWC and 1 Supercup).

We should be looking to win it. It's a way into the Champions League and it's another trophy. At the same time though, some of the squad players deserve a chance to prove themselves and they should be given a chance in this competition. When it comes to the tougher games though, I expect our strongest 11 to play.

7 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

We should be looking to win it. It's a way into the Champions League and it's another trophy. At the same time though, some of the squad players deserve a chance to prove themselves and they should be given a chance in this competition. When it comes to the tougher games though, I expect our strongest 11 to play.

Spot on. B team till QF/SF then (realistically, if we're not capable of reaching QF with our "B" team, then I think we don't even deserve to be in it in the first place imo) and if we have a tough QF or if we reach the Semis, then put back the strong 11. But obviously, I'd hope that we're capable to skim through group stages, Ro32 and Ro16 without having to play our strongest 11. For QF, do the same if we face dross or put the A team if we face the likes of arsenal/lazio/inter/ac milan/shakthar donestk/lyon/monaco/marseille (lol)/napoli etc ...

Edited September 18, 20187 yr by Londonisblue

2 minutes ago, Londonisblue said:

Spot on. B team till QF/SF then (realistically, if we're not capable of reaching QF with our "B" team, then I think we don't even deserve to be in it in the first place imo) and if we have a tough QF or if we reach the Semis, then put back the strong 11. But obviously, I'd hope that we're capable to skim through group stages, Ro32 and Ro16 without having to play our strongest 11. For QF, do the same if we face dross or put the A team if we face the likes of arsenal/lazio/inter/ac milan/shakthar donestk/lyon/monaco/marseille (lol)/napoli/spuds etc ...

I forgot about them haha FMP (Fixed My Post)

I think we should treat it as a European cup. In it to win it. Granted we would prefer Champions League, but we are in Europa so lets win the damn thing. As far as how they should line up in the group stage; I think they will field a rather strong team for PAOK on Thursday. They've got to get out to a good start so I would expect a bit of rotation but wouldn't be surprised if there isn't much rotation at all.

Kepa

Emerson

Christensen

Cahill

Zappacosta

Fab (if healthy)/ Jorginho (if Fab is not healthy)

Kante

RLC (if healthy)/ Barkley if not

Willian

Morata

Pedro

 

I would imagine seeing CHO off the bench but would like it if he started but I'm just not holding my breath regarding that. I imagine Sarri will field a stronger team in order to get all 3 points away from home. The home matches I believe we will see a good amount of rotation.

This competition is a backdoor entrance into the UCL. Win it & we are in + we can play for the UEFA Champion's Cup in the next season. However there are some mighty fine teams in this competition + the teams relegated from the UCL. I am hyped for this comp & hope CFC run the table & win it.

I'm going against the majority here and so think best to give the squad members a run out, I say this as I cannot see us failing to get into the top 4, think we will finish 3rd so don't see this as crucial competition for us. 

41 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

I'm going against the majority here and so think best to give the squad members a run out, I say this as I cannot see us failing to get into the top 4, think we will finish 3rd so don't see this as crucial competition for us. 

Question is though, why not target a clearly winnable trophy that has a very high reward for winning it. I think top 4 and Europa League have to be our main targets this year, going out early in the League Cup wouldn't be the worst outcome with this in mind.

Yes both would be good just think the focus should be on the league and see how everything else plays out.

As it stands i would say

EL 20% chance of getting a CL place next season.

EPL 80% chance of CL place next season.

We should'nt gamble the fitness of key players on the least favourable option.

I really hope we win it. It's still a big trophy at the end the day. Probably the 3rd most prestigious trophy we can win, behind the Champions League, and the Premiership. 

I'd go with slight rotation until qualification is assured, then play all the youth/2nd string. 

In the knockouts id play our strongest side, with the exception of whether or not we are in the title race.

Just forgetting the personnel for a minute (as all these lads train together and know the patterns by now) Sarri's ability to implement his style of football into our league, which is one of the most physically demanding, and high paced, highly pressed leagues in the world, is outstanding. This style of play, for me, would be a joy to watch on a European stage where there can be more freedom on the pitch and generally the opposition doesn't press as hard.

Providing we don't try to mug off any of these teams (just because they are not CL teams doesn't mean they're all sh!te) I am looking forward to these games for the chance to see Sarri play his expansive football in front of a European audience.

Don't matter what we do the pundits will still all be gagging on the fact the scousers didn't quite choke a 2 goal lead again, so they must be destined for honours. So f* it, let's go out and play some beautiful football, which I am confident, Ampadu, CHO, RLC and Christensen can do just as well as Pedro, Luiz, Kovacic etc, given the freedom to express themselves.

19 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

I'm going against the majority here and so think best to give the squad members a run out, I say this as I cannot see us failing to get into the top 4, think we will finish 3rd so don't see this as crucial competition for us. 

I don't think you're going against the majority. I think the majority wants to see the backups as starters. The good thing about this Chelsea squad, is there is a lot of 1st team Experience in the Reserves. @Chelseafitzy had pretty much the exact lineup I would run out there tomorrow, except I might change the goalie...

Caballero

Drinkwater / Ampadu / Christensen / Emerson

Barkley / Drinkwater / RLC  (Fabergas finds a spot if fit)

Willian / Morata / CHO

that's 11 changes from the weekend and STILL a strong team. 

BTW - awesome to see Ampadu extend