5 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Kepa

Azpi  Rudiger  Christensen  Emerson

Jorginho

Kante       RLC

CHO       Higuain     Hazard

Would even be tempted to drop Hazard too.

Probably not as tempted as I would be to drop Jorginho the Regista.

5 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Kepa

Azpi  Rudiger  Christensen  Emerson

Jorginho

Kante       RLC

CHO       Higuain     Hazard

Would even be tempted to drop Hazard too.

I like it... but Alonso is going to start. Emerson has worked his way into the rotation, not relegated Alonso to the bench for 2 games in 4 days.

The question with Ruben right now, is he fit? If he's fit to go 60, then he should start. Hopefully the last two appearances show that he is ready.

Rudiger could probably use a day off. That'll be 3 games in 7 days for him.

I'll call this as I see it, Huddersfield are down they have no stress in that respect and nothing to lose.

Now they could play coming forward just to enjoy the game or they could play 10 men behind the ball knowing we have problems with teams like that and try and get the kudos of beating or holding Chelsea in our own backyard.

This might well be another tricky match that on paper looks like a formality.

If Huddsfield could park 2 lines of 4 in front of their goal, I'm sure they could get a result here. I'm expecting the same 11, and same 3 subs again.

Never know, maybe somebody will do a Gerrard slip and we win 1:0

Drop Jorginho and have 2 in midfield, 3 players playing behind Higuain and you more chance of creating something. You don't need 3 defensive midfielders against the bottom team who have scored just 13 league goals.

14 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

I thought Hazard looked a little disinterested last night and also had about four defenders around him every time he got the ball. If he does not start it gives the opposition a bit more to think about in terms of who to mark.

If we need him then he can always come on and likely turn the match. 

I always feel Hazard only performs when he fancies it, in my eyes wonderful player he is, in 10/15 years time i'll look back on his time with us and say fantastic player, but in my time watching Chelsea won't be as fondly remembered as Dixon, Nevin, Zola, lamps, drogs, JT. If he carries on with this I may sign I may not bollox then his stock will fall further with me. I really hope he re signs and kicks on and becomes one of my all time favourites

Edited February 1, 20197 yr by chi blue

15 hours ago, axman2526 said:

So was yesterday's performance. Could they do worse? Try less?

Yes they could.

Rudiger as an attacking RB?

Right footed, ultra defensive Azpi trying to put balls into the box on the overlap?

Cahill and Christensen trying to play out from the back together?

Ampadu struggling to be the Regista again?

Barkley making it onto the pitch?

RLC wasted on the wing?

I'll give it a miss.

I'm completely confident that this will be a positive result and all will be right with the world again - for a few days at least. After all, Huddersfield couldn't beat an egg. We might even go on a bit of a run this month with the two Manc clubs and Spurs where we will probably raise our game and a couple of easy fixtures in the UEFA cup where Malmo likely won't set up quite like a Premier side would. Lets enjoy a fantastic February.

Any chance of this being postponed due to the snow? 

I think this is a game to shake the squad a little bit:

                           Kepa

Zappa Rudi Christensen Emerson

  Kante  Kovacic  RLC

CHO   Higuain  Willian

 

Like many have stated Hazard looks unmotivated/tired, let him rest. Let Kovacic try Jorginho's position, we need a backup for this position after Cesc left. Ampadu didn't succeed that well in that position. 

 

6 minutes ago, mclovin83 said:

Any chance of this being postponed due to the snow? 

No easy games in the PL. BUT if you wanted a kinder fixture to pick up 3 points and get yourselves back on track, Huddersfield couldn't have asked for a better one..........................!

Cant believe we dropped to 5th after Wednesdays result.

Need to win. Arsenal will hopefully lose to City to make the gap 3 points again.

Cant believe we dropped to 5th after Wednesdays result.

Need to win. Arsenal will hopefully lose to City to make the gap 3 points again.

Not going to happen but I'd like to see us line up like this

                Kepa

Dave - Rudi - Luiz - Alonso

        Kante - Jorginho

    CHO - Hazard - Willian

              Higuain

 

GK: Kepa

Def: Azpi Rudiger Christensen Emerson

Mid: RLC Kante Barkley

Atk: Pedro Higuain CHO

 

subs: Jorginho Kovasic Hazard. 

 

 

Result: Chelsea win. Big possibility for a draw also, but ill stick my guns to us winning. 

Edited February 1, 20197 yr by Semper Fi

Time for 442

Kepa 

Dave Christensen Rudiger Emerson

Kante 

Willian RLC CHO

Hazard Higuain 

I'll call this as I see it, Huddersfield are down they have no stress in that respect and nothing to lose.
Now they could play coming forward just to enjoy the game or they could play 10 men behind the ball knowing we have problems with teams like that and try and get the kudos of beating or holding Chelsea in our own backyard.
This might well be another tricky match that on paper looks like a formality.

Just when I was thinking this game is our easiest match in February, you reminded me of the recent game between Liverpool and Huddersfield where Huddersfield defended throughout the game and Liverpool had no clues on how to break them until Salah dived in the box in the second half to give them a penalty which was the difference.
I think scoring should be our aim.

51 minutes ago, wallosh said:

Just when I was thinking this game is our easiest match in February, you reminded me of the recent game between Liverpool and Huddersfield where Huddersfield defended throughout the game and Liverpool had no clues on how to break them until Salah dived in the box in the second half to give them a penalty which was the difference.
I think scoring should be our aim.

That's kind of the whole aim of football, mate.

 

2 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Not going to happen but I'd like to see us line up like this

                Kepa

Dave - Rudi - Luiz - Alonso

        Kante - Jorginho

    CHO - Hazard - Willian

              Higuain

 

Like that. But no way he will try something new

What are the chances of Sarri dropping Jorginho for this one -zilch. He should put an attack minded team out, go for it and get a few goals to boost morale , but I don't think he will. This one would have been an ideal match for Cesc.  CHO to play - lucky if Sarri puts him on the bench.

 

 

7 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Yes they could.

Rudiger as an attacking RB?

Right footed, ultra defensive Azpi trying to put balls into the box on the overlap?

Cahill and Christensen trying to play out from the back together?

Ampadu struggling to be the Regista again?

Barkley making it onto the pitch?

RLC wasted on the wing?

I'll give it a miss.

Rudiger played as a right back at times in Italy and did well. He has the engine to get up and down the side well.

Always thought dave defended better from left back and hits in a cracking in swinging cross. He would also support Andrea's well and continue his education.

Cahill leading us once more. Battle tested, he would show the pride we sorely lack. But you have a point here because it is more important in our current climate that our defenders have silky skills and pass well than know how to defend and our attackers need to defend more than they need to score goals. Seems a bit backwards to me but your right Cahill does not suit that philosophy.

No kante as the registra not ampadu. Ampadu in kantes position.

Barkley or Kovacic who cares, they are playing as well as each other. I go for Ross simply cause he could actually score a goal.

Little bit of freedom for Ruben, in my idea to go and Express his quality with freedom. Bit like hazard is afford every single game with impunity from criticism.

 

Dont speak well of the players I picked that you believe they could not beat lowly huddersfield though.

 

Sarri is the coach and he knows best though. He could not ask for an easier game to get us on track. We better soon, we got the Europa league, a cup final, city, spurs and United all looming.

Can expect only one change in this game, Alonso for Emerson. It has always been like that, we won't see fresh players, new system running then we won't see any changes.

I'm fascinated to see what happens tonight. Every person in the world sees that we need to change it up. At a minimum Kante needs to sit deeper, either alongside or in place or Jorginho. 

That said I'll expect the worst and hope for the best.

Game Day.

Come on Chelsea.

A much better result than midweek, please !