On 18/12/2018 at 02:40, wallosh said:

On 17/12/2018 at 22:56, DaRick said:

The EFL is not a massive priority.
I'm happy with the same approach we've always taken - ergo, mostly fielding our second-string team. 

It's a massive priority for me because I don't fancy our chances of winning the League or the Europa, so let's go all out to win this and secure top 4, any other trophy will then be a bonus.

 

On 18/12/2018 at 02:46, forbzy said:

I agree that it might look like our best chance of winning a trophy this season, but its not worth risking key starters when we have some vital league fixtures in the next couple of weeks. 

I disagree.

The EFL Cup is a gateway to the Europa League, but that's not what we want. 

Any trophy is nice, but I think that Top 4 is more important. 

Is the Chels playing Wednesday? Yes, of course. Then it is important. Today's match is today's priority. Now, we can rest some key players, and I would like to see Pedro-Hazard-Willian all on the bench to start, but that probably does not work well. So, one likely must start (I'll go with Willian) alongside Giroud up top and CHO on the other side. Cesc and RLC see action I have to think in the starting XI. Truth be told, I have as much confidence in Willy as Kepa. I really have yet to see Kepa make a save that I was thinking, "wow, most keepers do not get that one", but I have seen a few goals where I thought, "ok, most keepers would stop that one".

First, win, second hope to be drawn at home regardless the opponent, but preferably Burton. Do not want an away fixture to Citeh/Gooners/Spuds.

Though a top 4 finish, and some silverware such as Carabao Cup, Europa League, etc, is our most true goals and ambition in this season of transition (though we are well beyond transition at game week 18) we are a 5 minute defensive lapse at Wolves and then take your pick of just one of our stupid draws (Liverpool, United, Everton, WHU), and those extra five points would have us just out of the top spot. The late Sturridge goal stills has me upset (should have won that one) as well as United.

But all and all, solid start to Sarri ball. Next two weeks will tell us a lot. Cannot drop silly points. And let's stay in the Carabao Cup.

Come on you Chelsea!! 

 

On ?17?/?12?/?2018 at 11:40, wallosh said:

On ?17?/?12?/?2018 at 07:56, DaRick said:

 

It's a massive priority for me because I don't fancy our chances of winning the League or the Europa, so let's go all out to win this and secure top 4, any other trophy will then be a bonus.

I do think we have a very good shot at winning the Europa League (and top 4 as well). We have to be in the group of 3 or 4 favorites to win the EL along with Arsenal.

Who really scares you in the last 32? Sure, we can play poorly and lose to anyone, but should be able to beat any of the remaining squads, A match up sometime with Napoli would be interesting.

 

This is anyones game. It will depend on sides that are fielded. Bournemouth are capable of beating us. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

Game Day.

I always want us to win.

Come on Chelsea !

Match day.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

GAMEDAY!! COME ON CHELS!!

Off topic but do you think sihtty will draw burton ?

just a quick thought wtf cant we compete in this cup and the others and be competitive in the prem for a top 4 spot ? despite the SEF armchair criticism on here we are Chelsea FC, the squad although slagged off when we don't win every time is imo very decent, and the manager seems to know a thing or two about football

so to all the nay sayers demanding a lesser team be fielded today because wait for it ... next fixture is Leicester at home in the league on Saturday; I respectfully disagree we didn't win all those cups these last few years by being bottlers

win , lose or draw (not possible today) lets get behind the players and the manager today and celebrate supporting the best club in the land !!

 

25 minutes ago, General said:

just a quick thought wtf cant we compete in this cup and the others and be competitive in the prem for a top 4 spot ? despite the SEF armchair criticism on here we are Chelsea FC, the squad although slagged off when we don't win every time is imo very decent, and the manager seems to know a thing or two about football

so to all the nay sayers demanding a lesser team be fielded today because wait for it ... next fixture is Leicester at home in the league on Saturday; I respectfully disagree we didn't win all those cups these last few years by being bottlers

win , lose or draw (not possible today) lets get behind the players and the manager today and celebrate supporting the best club in the land !!

 

I think most people in general nowadays only value the PL and the UCL as worthy. The rest is deemed secondary or even worthless. For instance, had the europa league not been changed, most people would have wanted the U18 to play it in order to make rotation for the PL ...Sad since we got 8 FA cups and 5 League cups. 

No trophy is worthless, ever. There's a weird snobbery in football now, I just can't see how anyone can turn their nose up at any competition. There's a hierarchy obviously, but I want us to try and win every single thing we're in. 

2 hours ago, Londonisblue said:

Off topic but do you think sihtty will draw burton ?

 

Odds on.

Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson, Fabregas, Kovacic, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Giroud.

this is the league cup, i think its name changing has helped belittle it, why i just do not understand, its a domestic trophy and how many are there to actually play for 

Still with Willian....

Bournemouth are going for it

Ampadu and CHO were both left out the FAYC squad on Monday night and trained with the first team on Monday. Ampadu is not even in the first team squad tonight and CHO I doubt will get on the pitch. Frustrating that is.

Come On Chelsea.

32 minutes ago, dkw said:

No trophy is worthless, ever. There's a weird snobbery in football now, I just can't see how anyone can turn their nose up at any competition. There's a hierarchy obviously, but I want us to try and win every single thing we're in. 

Very true.

I waited long enough for us to win a major trophy.

Interesting line up. Let's hope we learn something, esp from the replacements.

Not on TV I presume.

Their team is strong and ours looks not so strong. I always equate Fabregas with defeat. Let's hope it isn't so tonight.

Anyone know a channel showing the game with English commentary? 

Sport tv5 has Portuguese commentary.

Commentator: Now the Brazillian, Emerson..."

Isn't he Italian?

Good start so far