Now this is where good man management needs to come into play. I just watch CHO coming off the pitch, handing his shirt to a young kid, his confidence up and he's enjoyed his night. He now needs to play, to be embedded into a team of seasoned pros around him. Not dipped in with the second string, but a fundamental part of the A listers. Its what Pep did with Sterling, Klopp with Alexander Arnold. CHO will flourish if we nurture that air of confidence. Bench him again now and bring him on for the last ten of a game we've already lost wil just deflate all of that confidence.

Sarri, whilst the kid has got a follwoing wind of confidence, let him play. If he then has a poor game, at least he's had teh chance. Confidence breeds confidence

Edited February 21, 20197 yr by WhiteWall
spelling

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I think a few players have done enough tonight to force themselves into the starting 11 for the final. Hudson-Odoi should be starting, he's not been perfect, but when he's been on the ball, he's been exciting and determined to make an impact. Emerson surely get's in over Alonso, he's had a good game tonight. I also think we should start Kovacic over Jorginho. Kovacic has more about him movement wise and defensively, he's also just as good with his short passing as Jorginho is.

I’d go with you but I predict none of the above.

it will be Willian in the right, Jorginho and Alonso start.

 

1 minute ago, chiefBlueCFC said:

I know this won't happen but up front should 100% be Hazard, Higuain, Hudson-Odoi and in the middle should be Kante, Jorginho, RLC. The right side was dynamic once RLC came on in this match.

Agree with this. 

Much better second half, seemed a lot more direct in our approach play for the most part.

Willian and CHO both impressed.

Kante looks better dropping a bit deeper and breaking forward with the ball, I think his starting position is too advanced at times. Showed the best sides of his game tonight.

Thought Barkley grew into the game after an iffy first half.

Giroud did well, hold up play was good bringing others into the game.

Emerson should be starting ahead of Alonso. Looked more rounded tonight.

6 minutes ago, coco said:

We cant blood them against city imo, we should wait till after, save them.

Nah, screw it, catch City by surprise. If we go with basically the same thing we went with last time around, then I think it will be an easy win for City. If we start Pedro, Alonso and Jorginho in that same role, then I don't think we have much hope of winning.

Edited February 21, 20197 yr by Scott Harris

16 minutes ago, charierre said:

Any GIFs of the goals? I'm watching a goalless draw at present Benfica/Galatassary. At least the cheapo wind is making it look better

sorry I was watching via stream tonight

4 minutes ago, goose said:

I’d go with you but I predict none of the above.

it will be Willian in the right, Jorginho and Alonso start.

 

You're probably right.

Seeing CHO, RLC and Ampadu all playing down that right hand side is the most pleased I’ve been this year with something Chelsea related.

1 minute ago, coco said:

We cant blood them against city imo, we should wait till after, save them.

Quite right. Blooding them against City would leave them needing a transfusion.

This is so typical of our fickleness. A win against 10 Swedish part-timers in their close season holiday and hey presto, we're good again. City are probably sh*tting themselves.

8 minutes ago, rtwelch said:

Anyone see BT cut to Bruce Buck’s face after the whistle? Absolutely no emotion on his face. He looked gutted/fuming. 

That's his default face to be fair 

I learned something today. The flag on the back of the Malmo kits was the region of Scania. I didn't realize about that info about Scandinavia identification.

is the draw tomorrow?

2 minutes ago, Snedger said:

Quite right. Blooding them against City would leave them needing a transfusion.

This is so typical of our fickleness. A win against 10 Swedish part-timers in their close season holiday and hey presto, we're good again. City are probably sh*tting themselves.

So what do we do, play the same line up that has been getting completely destroyed recently? Arsenal, Bournemouth, City, United, they have all beaten that same team with ease in the last month. If we don't make some changes, then it's just going to be the same story all over again.

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

That's his default face to be fair 

He's a borg 

1 minute ago, carrickblue said:

is the draw tomorrow?

yes, tomorrow 12 GMT

Now give us Arsenal CHO will destroy

It was edgy until we got the first a well taken team goal.

• Thought Barkley was sluggish and awkward first half yet improved in the 2nd and good free kick.
• Kovacic for me MOTM, kept it going threw in few tackles and kept us positionally safe, for me Jorginho should now be benched.
• Kante vital for the first though a couple of times outmuscled by the Swedes yet still a good game. Odd missed pass.
• CHO showed great skill at times and a bit of naivity at others should come on more often.
• Willian on the left played well, glad he was unselfish for the 1st.
• Giroud worked hard and took his goal well.
• Emmerson played well and won us the freekick for the 2nd.
• Azpi odd missed pass otherwise ok.
• CBs good though Andreas uncessary wresting with the Swede.
• Liked seeing Ampadu get a run.
• RLC looked lively perhaps he will play in the next two.
• Shades of potential good linking up with younger players down the right.

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

So what do we do, play the same line up that has been getting completely destroyed recently? Arsenal, Bournemouth, City, United, they have all beaten that same team with ease in the last month. If we don't make some changes, then it's just going to be the same story all over again.

Play the same team that we sent to city and let them redeem themselves, if they fail bring forward the replacements CHO, RLC, Ampadu, Emerson, Christensen, i'd even consider Bulka unless Kepa can get his wrists sorted.

that's the first time Sarri has got a team through a European knock-out round.......... 

7 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

So what do we do, play the same line up that has been getting completely destroyed recently? Arsenal, Bournemouth, City, United, they have all beaten that same team with ease in the last month. If we don't make some changes, then it's just going to be the same story all over again.

No, go for it. We'll be beaten by City either way. I'm so disillusioned that in all honesty i don't care an awful lot what we do. In terms of Sunday, tonight told nor taught us anything. In a rare moment of positivity, I will say that it was nice to see some youth players get on the park and do ok. I just wish they were getting their chance in a better and more stable Chelsea team rather than being looked on as our only hope and the pressure that entails.

Edited February 21, 20197 yr by Snedger

2 hours ago, Oli said:

Our best lineup bar Kepa and Hazard. Shame its for Malmo.

 

2 hours ago, rtwelch said:

Barkley should be nowwhere near our starting XI. Happy to eat my words tonight though.

Like i said. Other than Hazard and Kepa, thats probably our best lineup. I thought Kovacic was very good in the Regista role. Him coupled with Rudi Christensen and Emerson and Kante infront provide so much needed pace in defensive situations. Its no coincidence that these players keep putting in stellar performances in the Europa and why we have done so well in the competition so far. Some of them, ie CHO Christensen and Emerson must think no matter how good they play every game, they will never get the chances. 

3 minutes ago, Oli said:

 

Like i said. Other than Hazard and Kepa, thats probably our best lineup. I thought Kovacic was very good in the Regista role. Him coupled with Rudi Christensen and Emerson and Kante infront provide so much needed pace in defensive situations. Its no coincidence that these players keep putting in stellar performances in the Europa and why we have done so well in the competition so far. Some of them, ie CHO Christensen and Emerson must think no matter how good they play every game, they will never get the chances. 

Kovacic wasnt great against a poor Malmo team when pressing, second half they stopped pressing and we had plenty of time on the ball. We have done what is expected of any Premier League given the lack of competition. Players like Emerson, Christensen and CHO need at least 5 or 6 games on the trot, doubt it will ever happen though.

1 minute ago, Oli said:

 

Like i said. Other than Hazard and Kepa, thats probably our best lineup. I thought Kovacic was very good in the Regista role. Him coupled with Rudi Christensen and Emerson and Kante infront provide so much needed pace in defensive situations. Its no coincidence that these players keep putting in stellar performances in the Europa and why we have done so well in the competition so far. Some of them, ie CHO Christensen and Emerson must think no matter how good they play every game, they will never get the chances. 

I think stellar performance may be stretchingi t a bit.

I thought first half we were dire, with our usual sloppy, lazy passing and lack of movement. Azpi i thought was poor, sloppy and on too many ocassions had to make tactical fouls, Kovacic too many times gave away sloppy dangerous passes that would have killed us against better opposition. Too often we penned ourselves in too deep due to poor care of the ball and too many needless touches in and around our own box.

I would even go as far to say that the driving run through midfield by Kante to set up the first goal actually breathed life and confidence into the whole team.

We would rarely have such opportuntity to develop during a game in the EPL.

Checkout this beauty again from Ross da Fuckin Boss

 

The thing you have to realise though is that these players can only perform with whats put infront of them. I admit stellar was a bit much. But i do think its when we see these players getting a chance, is when we see our best performances. Its a shame the premier league has been a disaster for us recently with the same players guarenteed to start no matter how bad they play.

Also bare in mind Hudson Odois complete lack of minutes. Its very difficult to keep putting it on when you arent getting minutes on the pitch, with whatever limited time youre given. But he still always performs. I thought he faded out of the game in the second half but yet again he still scores. And when his pals RLC and Ampadu came on you could see how his confidence grew. He has always got an output whether a goal or assist no mater how good his performance varies over 90 mins, and he will only improve by getting more of a run in the team.

As for Christensen esp who i bang on about in every post, and also Emerson. I really think its criminal they arent first choices on the team sheet for any of our big games. Not only that but i feel they are considerably better than Luiz and Alonso, and even go as far as to say better than Rudi and Azpi on the other side. You can see how solid we are when Andreas plays, and his pace coupled with tackling ability and constant knack of snuffing out danger is what has cost us in all the big games he hasent played. Son tore us apart earlier in the season down the left. And man city ripped all four to shreds.

I cant see it but i really hope Sarri picks players on merit in the final. I dont even think the system or tactics are as much to blame as his poor selection of players. Anyway lets hope this breeds confidence and somehow we can turn it on Sunday. For me the Europa League and Carabao Cup would be a phenomenal season if we were to win both. Plus it would mean Champions League football for next year.