I think Sarri will see CHO as a risk because of defensive duties... So Morata will most likely start. 

Lets not forget CHO has played 90 minutes too so he may not be fully fit, he seem to tire quickly towards the end of game.

I think CHO will play but only as a sub. 

Kepa

Azpilicueta Rudiger Luiz Alonso

Kovacic Jorginho Kante

Pedro Morata Hazard

47 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

I think Sarri will see CHO as a risk because of defensive duties... So Morata will most likely start. 

Lets not forget CHO has played 90 minutes too so he may not be fully fit, he seem to tire quickly towards the end of game.

I think CHO will play but only as a sub. 

Kepa

Azpilicueta Rudiger Luiz Alonso

Kovacic Jorginho Kante

Pedro Morata Hazard

If we really want to try and win this game, rather then limit damage, then we should consider your ploy of bringing on CHO later on. They always come out the blocks fast, but like in the Wolves game, you can use that to your advantage later on, especially if the game is still tight on the scoreline.

21 minutes ago, coco said:

If we really want to try and win this game, rather then limit damage, then we should consider your ploy of bringing on CHO later on. They always come out the blocks fast, but like in the Wolves game, you can use that to your advantage later on, especially if the game is still tight on the scoreline.

Would start CHO. A reward for his 2 assists can’t just be a place on the bench? You bring him on for 15mins, and he doesn’t perform, what happens next? He is off to the reserves because he was poor in his 15min cameo? 

Start him and give him a solid 60mins, we might learn something new by having faith in him. Losing a cup fixture to Spurs wouldn’t define our season; but if has another fine outing and who knows gets Morata firing it will go a long way in helping towards getting top 4.

7 minutes ago, ducavis said:

Losing a cup fixture to Spurs wouldn’t define our season

BUT it should never, ever be considered as in any way acceptable.  Ever.

59 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

BUT it should never, ever be considered as in any way acceptable.  Ever.

I agree but they are currently a better side than we are presently. I’d rather lose the fight than the war, and starting him tomorrow might help in winning the war.

19 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Much as his showing had flaws morata scored 2 and should keep his place. CHO supplied 2 should keep his place too. 

There is no other choice unless Pedro can play, then Hazard can be the false 9 and Hudson-Odoi and Pedro on the wings.

da gaffer's pre-match press conference

 

this is the sort of situation where you wish the ghost of Jose-past would lend us a bus and a couple of inspired break-away goals in the last 10 minutes

it's going to be tough

17 minutes ago, carrickblue said:

this is the sort of situation where you wish the ghost of Jose-past would lend us a bus and a couple of inspired break-away goals in the last 10 minutes

it's going to be tough

Not me, that is outdated and Jose is without a job. Sarri-ball is the future 

9 hours ago, coco said:

If we really want to try and win this game, rather then limit damage, then we should consider your ploy of bringing on CHO later on. They always come out the blocks fast, but like in the Wolves game, you can use that to your advantage later on, especially if the game is still tight on the scoreline.

Let's give them something to be scared of from the get go. Pedro wont scare them with his lack of pace. Willian will scare them, well the fans in row Z his crosess end up in or worry the shins of the first defender at the corners.

Hazard frightens any defense, CHO raw pace and talent will have them worried, Morata is a fright to both teams as he could be really good or really bad for us but at least there is a chance he could bag a couple. Giroud could really enjoy the supply from CHO as well.

At least this time we know what's coming, Sarri may play the counter attacking style like he did against City. Play Hazard off the bench, there are plenty of big games to come, no need to start him and get him kicked off the field after about 30 minutes.

27 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Let's give them something to be scared of from the get go. Pedro wont scare them with his lack of pace. Willian will scare them, well the fans in row Z his crosess end up in or worry the shins of the first defender at the corners.

Hazard frightens any defense, CHO raw pace and talent will have them worried, Morata is a fright to both teams as he could be really good or really bad for us but at least there is a chance he could bag a couple. Giroud could really enjoy the supply from CHO as well.

Pedro knows Sarriball much better than most of our players and when he played we mostly won. Last time Willian played from the start and nobody got scared.

Id play Christensen. They have too much pace in their attack, and will likely rip Luiz Alonso and Jorginho again.

I have a feeling Emerson will start on the left wing, Victor Moses on the right, and Hazard as a striker. 

 

1 hour ago, Theafonis said:

I have a feeling Emerson will start on the left wing, Victor Moses on the right, and Hazard as a striker. 

 

You need to see a doctor about that feeling mate! 

 

Game Day !

Come on Chelsea !!

I hope for a far, far better performance from us than the last time we played them.

Match day,well a bit more than that,its those horrible north London w.....s.Keep it tight and stay in the tie.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

Spurs is the fixture I least look forward in recent years. They just seem to have our number. Their Chelsea hoodoo is long over.

Going tonight - mixed feelings about it (what sort of result we'll get that is). One thing for sure, no doubt their self proclaimed 'Army' will be in attendance in numbers at a key point looking to pick off 'scarfers, etc'.  As was the case at the Bridge they need to stay well away from my small ensemble...

                          Kepa
Azpi - Christensen - Rudiger - Emerson
             Fabregas - Jorginho
                      Kovacic
           Willian - Hazard - CHO

14 minutes ago, the special one said:

                          Kepa
Azpi - Christensen - Rudiger - Emerson
             Fabregas - Jorginho
                      Kovacic
           Willian - Hazard - CHO

no kante?? 

Surely if there's 1 game kante is a must, it is this one. 

I doubt fabregas will play considering he was pictured in Monaco, so that must be very close to completion, but fabregas and jorginho holding in midfield is a scary thought against spurs. 

15 minutes ago, big blue said:

no kante?? 

Surely if there's 1 game kante is a must, it is this one. 

I doubt fabregas will play considering he was pictured in Monaco, so that must be very close to completion, but fabregas and jorginho holding in midfield is a scary thought against spurs. 

The idea for me should be to give Spurs the space that Kante would deny them so we can pick them off on the counter transitions. If not Cesc, Danny D for me. Let them worry about us, if we impose our game we'll win.

Another tough match coming up. Let's hope we don't get slaughtered like we did recently against The Spuds.. Sevilla are interested in Moratta so I'd play Giroud.. CHO should get a run out but not to start. We need to cut off their lines of attack. They are better than us at the  moment. Fingers crossed. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

Edited January 8, 20197 yr by TheBluesBrother

Poch has come out and said Spurs need to play like they did at the 2-2 Battle of Stamford Bridge when they got 9 yellows.

He says sometimes you need to play sneaky to win.

I find this annoying though my intuition has suggested before he encourages his team to use more force and cheat at times.

Hopefully the fact there is VAR will mean he is shooting himself in the foot.

 

 

11 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

Poch has come out and said Spurs need to play like they did at the 2-2 Battle of Stamford Bridge when they got 9 yellows.

He says sometimes you need to play sneaky to win.

I find this annoying though my intuition has suggested before he encourages his team to use more force and cheat at times.

Hopefully the fact there is VAR will mean he is shooting himself in the foot.

 

 

let's be real, spuds always come at Chelsea like this - they kick the players first to get them unsettle, then they capitalize on CFC being a bit soft - they did this in the last match to fruition - Don Maurizio said he has a way to deal w/ this type of philosophy - let's hope Chelsea can get a result - I will be very happy with a draw from this match & smash them to bits in the return leg at Stamford Bridge