Good to see Rudigier is running again.  I didn’t realize he was as recovered as that. 

11 hours ago, mad_mac said:

Is Rudiger fully match fit?

not sure but he is working hard to return

 

Let’s hope he can get a few minutes pre season. Training back with the team is a big deal for players recovering from injuries so that’s great news. 

I hope we don't rush him though.  Think the CB pairing will likely be DL and AC

Wow, how great is it to see this thread? Welcome PL 2019-20!

Cannot tell you how long it has been since I am this excited about the upcoming season. Maybe just before 2014-15 season. This time not because we were looking like the Champions elect, but because there is a new found energy, a freshness to the season. It has been the most entertaining pre-season I can remember for the same reason. Who knows where we will finish, but we have a good mix of options for the XI and some fresh new faces (even with the ban). Plus, no Italian coach this time around. Conte did a fantastic job year one, wore thin by year two and Sarri was old news by week two.

The starting XI for this one is as difficult to pick as any I can remember,

I will give it an early shot:

- - - - - - - Kepa - - - - - - -

Dave - Christiansen - Luiz - Emerson

- - Kovacic - - Jorginho - -

- - Pedro - Barkley - Pulisic - -

- - - - - - Batshuayi - - - - - -

Would prefer Rudiger for Luiz if healthy and Kante for either DM if match fit and ready.

Come on you Chelsea!!

13 hours ago, Chelsea Buzz said:

Wow, how great is it to see this thread? Welcome PL 2019-20!

Cannot tell you how long it has been since I am this excited about the upcoming season. Maybe just before 2014-15 season. This time not because we were looking like the Champions elect, but because there is a new found energy, a freshness to the season. It has been the most entertaining pre-season I can remember for the same reason. Who knows where we will finish, but we have a good mix of options for the XI and some fresh new faces (even with the ban). Plus, no Italian coach this time around. Conte did a fantastic job year one, wore thin by year two and Sarri was old news by week two.

The starting XI for this one is as difficult to pick as any I can remember,

I will give it an early shot:

- - - - - - - Kepa - - - - - - -

Dave - Christiansen - Luiz - Emerson

- - Kovacic - - Jorginho - -

- - Pedro - Barkley - Pulisic - -

- - - - - - Batshuayi - - - - - -

Would prefer Rudiger for Luiz if healthy and Kante for either DM if match fit and ready.

Come on you Chelsea!!

I wouldn't start Kante right away - This will be a long campaign - it's ok to let Kante marinate for a match or two

Kepa

Azpi Zouma DL EMerson

Kante Kova

Pulisic Barkles Pedro

Tammster

 

This is my guess as the starting line up... 

Depending on injuries and fitness I would go with 

kepa 

azbi christensen luiz alonso 

kovacic jorginho

pedro Barkley Pulisic 

giroud 

subs : caba, kante, Batman, mount, Zouma, Emerson, willian 

Good to see Lamps trying new formations but reckon we should play safe and stick to what we know early doors.

Reckon we may struggle if we go with 4-2-3-1, haven't read too much into preseason but we're shipping goals for fun.

No idea what the lineup will be but I'd go with;

4-3-3 False 9

                       Kepa
Azpi - Christensen - Luiz - Emerson
      Kante - Jorginho - Kovacic
        Willian - Pedro - Pulisic

Subs: Willy, Barkley, Giroud, Rudiger/Zouma, Drinkwater, Alonso, Mount

I think we will have a real good idea as far as what Frank's plans are for the starting 11 for Man United, based upon who starts tomorrow against Monchengladbach.

after the BMG vs Chelsea match, the manure vs Milan match was on - manure's defense looks just as bad or even worse than Chelsea defense - I can see Ross da Boss having a really good match on August 11th

So, our pre-season has ended. Overall I can say we have seen good things but also things that must be improved.

I'd start with defence, we need an improvement in that area, Rudiger won't be available for this game. It seems like Lampard likes Zouma, but I'd go with Christensen as a first starter.

Striker - Abraham, Giroud and Michy. Difficult choice, but what I liked most is when Michy and Abraham played together.

Formation - 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 diamond? Our football looked fresh and great when we played 4-4-2, it was so difficult to read us.

 

Anyways, I'd play this lineup against United:

--------------- Kepa ---------------

Azpilicueta - Christensen - David Luiz - Emerson

------------- Jorginho ----------------

Pulisic -------------------- Kovacic -------

------------- Barkley/Mount --------------

----- Abraham ----- Batshuayi ------

 

I'd put Pulisic on right to let Emerson be more useful in attack while Kovacic will join the center and be creative there. Emerson is better in attacking than Azpilicueta, so I believe a freedom is needed to Emerson. Kovacic also knows how to tackle so he can help much more on the left than Pulisic. 

Abraham and Batshuayi found some connection between them, let them enjoy together. I believe in that duo.

Not sure how is Kante ready for the game, if he 100% ready then I'd play him of course.

 

5 hours ago, IliyaKrostin said:

So, our pre-season has ended. Overall I can say we have seen good things but also things that must be improved.

I'd start with defence, we need an improvement in that area, Rudiger won't be available for this game. It seems like Lampard likes Zouma, but I'd go with Christensen as a first starter.

Striker - Abraham, Giroud and Michy. Difficult choice, but what I liked most is when Michy and Abraham played together.

Formation - 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 diamond? Our football looked fresh and great when we played 4-4-2, it was so difficult to read us.

 

Anyways, I'd play this lineup against United:

--------------- Kepa ---------------

Azpilicueta - Christensen - David Luiz - Emerson

------------- Jorginho ----------------

Pulisic -------------------- Kovacic -------

------------- Barkley/Mount --------------

----- Abraham ----- Batshuayi ------

 

I'd put Pulisic on right to let Emerson be more useful in attack while Kovacic will join the center and be creative there. Emerson is better in attacking than Azpilicueta, so I believe a freedom is needed to Emerson. Kovacic also knows how to tackle so he can help much more on the left than Pulisic. 

Abraham and Batshuayi found some connection between them, let them enjoy together. I believe in that duo.

Not sure how is Kante ready for the game, if he 100% ready then I'd play him of course.

 

None of our strikers are much good at times Chelsea in previous sessions look like we are playing with 10 men because of inificent strikers makes absolutely no sense to play 2 eliminating wingers, one of the positions we have some strength.

No one plays 2 up top now, not even with 2 good strikers as modern football require width let alone with 2 mediocre ones.   

Why do they call Old Trafford ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ when it’s an absolute sh*thole?

6 hours ago, Munkworth said:

Why do they call Old Trafford ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ when it’s an absolute sh*thole?

Because back when we had no ‘istory they thought they were very entertaining at playing football and to be fair they were.

Its an easy fix to modernise just insert broken between the  of and dreams

If Frank has any Jose in him he will set up us not to lose. Personally I hope he doesn't do that but goes for a win. Remains to be seen I guess.

                      Kepa

Dave - Christensen - Luiz - Emerson

               Kante - Kovacic

         Pedro - Barkley - Pulisic

                     Abraham 

 

On 02/08/2019 at 16:28, robdog said:

I wouldn't start Kante right away - This will be a long campaign - it's ok to let Kante marinate for a match or two

What we thinking? a bit of oil, worcester sauce, lemon juice and salt over night?

Kepa

Azpi  Christensen  Luiz  Emerson

Jorginho   Kovacic

Pedro   Barkley   Pulisic

Abraham

May as well let Abraham have a few games to prove himself. AM's basically pick themselves until CHO and Willian are back. Rest Kante until he's fit again. Strongest back line we have atm.

Looking forward to the new season together with some old and new faces.  Tough game for Frank to start his PL career, nothing like getting thrown in at the deep end.  A mixed bag of results in pre-season however, defensively we are an absolute mess which is surprising given Chelsea's history of being a tough team to break down...whether this is a combination of continually changing managers over the last 3-4 years or players getting worse at the back I'm not sure, but Frank and his team have to work hard on plugging our defensive gaps.  Unless the defence is fixed we'll be shipping goals by the bucket loads and those games that we do win might end up, 3-2, 4-3 if our attacking midfielders and strikers can get going...I see Sunday's game as a tentative opener and if we are lucky I'll take a draw to kick things off..

I'd play the narrow diamond .. something like this :

I could also make a case for Pulisic to start up top with Tammy.

As is, I'd have Pedro and Pulisic coming on in the second half, to run them ragged when Jones, Smalling etc are knackered

 

Edited August 5, 20196 yr by Sexyfootball

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

What we thinking? a bit of oil, worcester sauce, lemon juice and salt over night?

Cocaine. 

37 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

Cocaine. 

As if Kante needs anymore energy!

Kepa

Azpi  Christensen  Luiz  Emerson

Jorginho   Kovacic

Mount   Barkley   Pulisic

Abraham

 

I know that we haven't seen it so far in pre-season, but I wouldn't be surprised if Lamps tried to fit both Mount and Barkley in the team by playing Mount on the right instead of Pedro. It's also something that I'd quite like to see as Mount has an excellent eye for a pass and good attacking instincts. He's also excellent at pressing from the front.

So United have Maguire then. Improves them but we have tomori so all is well. Best to go with our best preseason performers and not rush Kante back. 

 

Kepa

 

Azpi

christensen 

Tomori

Emerson

 

Jorginho 

Kovacic 

 

Mount

Barkley 

Pulisic 

 

Abraham

 

Reckon a defeat is likely but will provide some valuable lessons for the players and Frank.