is this another "Let's put Kante into a position he doesn't have experience of for a match against one of the better pressing sides in the league?"

We'll lose this, but win the final.

2 hours ago, yorkleyblue said:

is this another "Let's put Kante into a position he doesn't have experience of for a match against one of the better pressing sides in the league?"

Blame all of the talking heads - that is what they want - at this point I just want Don Maurizio to stick w/ his guns & deploy his formation & not what ever other Tom, Dick & Harry wants CFC deployed as. 

 

 

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by robdog

As a Chelsea fan, I always want us to win.  Top 4 is our priority, and therefore we need the points.  Don't give a toss if that helps others, we have to play our game.

I wonder how many dirty red scousers will be supporting Chelsea on Sunday

6 hours ago, robdog said:

Blame all of the talking heads - that is what they want - at this point I just want Don Maurizio to stick w/ his guns & deploy his formation & not what ever other Tom, Dick & Harry wants CFC deployed as. 

 

 

^^ Sarri: "They trying to get me to use this vape gadget !"

^^ Interpreter: "It's the microphone Maurizio"

 

4 hours ago, coco said:

^^ Sarri: "They trying to get me to use this vape gadget !"

^^ Interpreter: "It's the microphone Maurizio"

 

I am surprised the club hasn't tried to get Sarri on the vape, but I am sure Don Maurizio is a stubborn geezer who likes a particular brand of cigs

I'd play Christensen instead of Luiz. He's a better defender and has the pace to deal with quick fire City attack. After his outburst last week, upsetting the luvvies in the forward line, Rudiger should be brought back for this game. Kovacic could play the Jorghino role with his eyes closed.

15 hours ago, JoeyN said:

We'll lose this, but win the final.

I will take that, if we got lose one of them, final is far more important to me, it's a trophy

17 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Absolutely no chance. Jorginho is pivotal to the way we play.

Interesting. Among my small group, we have not been at all impressed with him. Until now, my opinion has been he has been one of the weaknesses in Sarri's system and has only been played as he is one of Sarri's favourites. Is he generally like then?

Maybe I need to watch him more carefully. 

Obviously beaten City once already this season, now we've got to work out how to beat them with Fernandinho in their team.

Edited February 8, 20197 yr by Goalonso
incorrect spelling

2 hours ago, Goalonso said:

Obviously beaten City once already this season, now we've got to work out how to beat them with Fernandinho in their team.

I think he did play when we beat them at the Bridge

Going to be a very challenging game to extract any points at all from, if we see the usual Sarri tactics of trying to play a high line / press it will fall right into pep's hands, Aguero is fit now he wasn't at the Bridge, Jorginho will be targeted by Fernadinho etc. Alonso & Luiz on the left will get particular attention as well, all in all we need a mix of Conte's ultra drop deep backline of 5  and Sarri's attack. I expect Sarri not to alter his philosophy or tactics and therefore it may be a long 90 minutes, hope I've misjudged the situation. One plus is we now have a wild card called Higuain, but will he get decent service ? that may just be up to Luiz and his wonderful ability to pick a pass from deep. 

4 hours ago, Goalonso said:

Obviously beaten City once already this season, now we've got to work out how to beat them with Fernandinho in their team.

What they gain with one hand, they lose on another, this time we won't have a false#9, but a proper center forward for their defence to worry about.

Gaffer's Pre-match Press Conference

 

46 minutes ago, robdog said:

Gaffer's Pre-match Press Conference

 

"Hudson-Odoi has 1 day fever, Cahill had little problems with his back but it's ok" - Expect to not see them for the game that means?

On 07/02/2019 at 15:17, JoeyN said:

We'll lose this, but win the final.

2 and a half years later and he returns 

I'll take the result, but I'll be greedy and ask for a win in both games 

Think we will be lucky for a draw here and if i honestly had to chose between this and the final, it would be the final.

3 points to help us finish in the top four is more important. I'll take winning both personally 

42 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

2 and a half years later and he returns 

I'll take the result, but I'll be greedy and ask for a win in both games 

Seems reasonable 

2 hours ago, Gol15 said:

"Hudson-Odoi has 1 day fever, Cahill had little problems with his back but it's ok" - Expect to not see them for the game that means?

he did say he would wait & see first after the final training session before he makes his final decision.

8 hours ago, Goalonso said:

Obviously beaten City once already this season, now we've got to work out how to beat them with Fernandinho in their team.

They had Fernandinho first time round. They however didn’t have KDB & Aguero. We will have to be on our toes to say the least.

We will play very compact and try t coach them on the break. It could play to our strengths as they will have most of the ball round our penalty area so Alonso and luiz lack of pace might matter less. Even so a draw would be a very credible result against arguably the best team in Europe 

Gradually been building up to this game all week.

I would take a point. I think we can go to Anfield and get something when we visit.

I think we will take a 1-0 lead... City will come back and pip us 2-1.

i’d like Rude and Christensen at the back for this one...

i feel more confident for the final tho’...

would love to see Hudson started, if fit?