1 minute ago, RMH said:

I think it's got more to do with UEFA scraping the Cup Winners' Cup relegating the Cup winners to the second division of European trophies. It's great to win the FA Cup, but then you get Thursday football rather than play against the best in Europe. I rather there was the CWC tournament or that the Cup winner went to the UCL. 

Agreed. We should have moved the 4th place qualifier to the FA cup long ago like uefa made a spot in the CL for the winner of the Europa.

Kova and Andreas out

6 minutes ago, mojo said:

Kova and Andreas out

Zouma could come in. Question is do we want to increase our backlines ability in the air and athleticism at a cost of a likely few moments of Zouma switching off and needing Silva and Rudiger to cover?

If yes Dave is the obvious one to either leave out or move to RWB. If no same back 3 as Porto.

I think we've got a decent chance here. I'd say 60/40 in their favour. We're better defensively than we've been in years, and I think we keep possession better than we have since Sarri was here. I think they'll shade possession (not by much), and we'll beat their press in a way we haven't managed in a long time. I know we're wasteful up top, but I think overall we look better than we have in years. City have no Aguerro, and we play with 3 CBs that are very physical and decent in the air, so I don't think they'll create as many clear cut chances as they usually do. We also have two pacey/strong full backs who are very good at stopping crossed into the box. 

If Pulisic can get Walker booked nice and early, think we could do them on the counter. 

 

2-1 Chelsea. 

 

Here's a thought... could we see Reece James dropping into CM? I think Jorginho and Gilmour could be too lightweight. Would be interesting to see:

Zouma, Silva, Rudiger

Azpi, Reece, Jorginho, Chillwell

Ziyech, Mount, Werner

 

Very defensive, but I don't think we're in a good position to make changes that are overly offensive. 

Edited April 16, 20215 yr by Hessleboink

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Arsene Wenger has a lot to answer for, making the top 4 trophy a bigger event than being in an FA cup final. Even in the minds of some of our fans...

It was the seen as the case long before Wenger said anything, he just added the banter element to it.

I vaguely remember in 2000 once the dust settled on the FA Cup there was a air of disappointment we weren't having another night against Barca or trip to the San Siro and that's before we mention 2003 where getting that 4th spot was a crucial sliding doors moment for us.

CL qualification is mandatory. Good players do not want to transfer to teams that do not play in CL. There is more money involved and there is also financial fair play. For me, the target is the title in PL in the next two years. We need a few transfers in the summer to improve the squad. I know it's sad when we think that the match with Brighton is more important than an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but we have to adapt to the situation. Maybe UEFA should pay more respect to the oldest competition in the world and its winner should go to the CL instead of the 4th place. But until then, we have to think about the near future and what we want to achieve as a club. We have a busy schedule and I would like to see physically fit players in the last PL game and, why not, in the CL final.

On 15/04/2021 at 13:00, Munkworth said:

My heart says blue socks for this one but my head says white. Officials in the usual boring black. 

My heart says

But my "special purpose" says

21 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Fair enough mate.

Yeah but those were minor upsets.

Us beating City the way they are playing would be more like Mayweather getting knocked out by a 15 yeard old random off the street kid.

Or a youtuber

9 minutes ago, Malta Blue said:

Or a youtuber

Lol 

 

Think we see how really good of a manager TT is here. He got it spot on in the week.

Now he is against one of the most successful managers in the world, with bottomless pits of cash, like his previous employers, and a fantastic team. How well he makes our tactics, selection and the players believe in it or not we determine if we have a chance or not.

Edited April 16, 20215 yr by axman2526

Tuchel hasn't rotated much for the last two games and you've got to wonder if the likes of Dave, Silva, Kante and Jorginho have enough in the tank to play another 90 minutes after the Porto game. 

The area with the most depth is in attack but I'm not sure I want any of Havertz, Mount or Pulisic being dropped for this game. 

Tough selection choices for this game that's for sure. 

Win or lose this one, it is a great litmus test to have before going into our CL Semi Final tie with Real Madrid. Obviously, please win and all that jazz

29 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Tuchel hasn't rotated much for the last two games and you've got to wonder if the likes of Dave, Silva, Kante and Jorginho have enough in the tank to play another 90 minutes after the Porto game. 

The area with the most depth is in attack but I'm not sure I want any of Havertz, Mount or Pulisic being dropped for this game. 

Tough selection choices for this game that's for sure. 

If i had to guess i would say Tommy will pick almost the same team that played against the Blades in the QF, bar Kovacic for Kante and Giroud for Werner.  

24 minutes ago, coco said:

If i had to guess i would say Tommy will pick almost the same team that played against the Blades in the QF, bar Kovacic for Kante and Giroud for Werner.  

Christensen cannot play either. Am not sure Emerson as a CB against City would be so good for us lol

On 14/04/2021 at 11:16, RMH said:

Anyone has heard anything more about some fans being allowed inside Wembley for the FA Cup semis? I think I heard a couple of weeks ago that the Chelsea v. City game was going to be some trial to start getting fans back into stadiums.

I havent read all the thread so far so apologies if it's already been answered.  There won't be any fans allowed for our semi final v City but on the following day 4,000 local residents will be allowed into Wembley for the Leicester City v Southampton semi :

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12262860/fa-cup-semi-final-4-000-locals-allowed-for-leicester-vs-southampton-at-wembley-on-april-18

Tough game, but I think Brighton game is more important than this.

anyway 

 

mendy 

azbi zouma rudiger 

CHO kante jorginho alonso 

ziyech Werner 

tammy 

 

 

23 hours ago, Hitherto said:

When Chelsea first signed KDB from Genk, he played for Chelsea against Seattle a game I watched. He was by far the best player on the field on the day, at the time I thought we had signed a great player, Mou thought otherwise and almost destroyed his career like many other. 

I think the personal issue with Courtois and his girlfriend had something to do with the issue

2 hours ago, Richard P said:

I think the personal issue with Courtois and his girlfriend had something to do with the issue

In hindsight, we should have shipped the snake right then and there. 

8 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Arsene Wenger has a lot to answer for, making the top 4 trophy a bigger event than being in an FA cup final. Even in the minds of some of our fans...

It’s 15 m euros to win a champions league semi plus all the group stage money. It’s 0.9 mstirling to win fa cup semi. This is professional football. It is about the money. 

1 hour ago, ozboy said:

It’s 15 m euros to win a champions league semi plus all the group stage money. It’s 0.9 mstirling to win fa cup semi. This is professional football. It is about the money. 

For the club the bottom line is most important absolutely. 

Look forward to this game, and I reckon with a day of extra break and a bit of luck, we could do it. I reckon Werner will start, this is the type of game he will be able to get behind the defence, and for everyone's sake let's hope he poke a goal in, or at least get a penalty. He had a week break, should be roaring to go. I'd play Pullisic and Mount well, our most in form players. Defensively, I'd play Christensen instead of Silva, just fear the lack of game time and mobility of Silva may harm us against the likes of Sterling, Mahraz etc. I wouldn't risk Kepa for this game, this is a semi final, have to play the best GK.

23 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

Can we stop mentioning Jose selling KDB. It just makes my blood boil. Arrrgh.

Anyway it's the fans fault really. Roman thought to give Jose transfer control to make his own squad and avoid a second fall out against a super fan favourite and then that happens. 

Let Roman do it his way from now on...like hiring Tuchel:)

.......... and signing Shevchenko and Torres!

To win today we have to stifle the influence of KDB. I won't say stop him completely because I think that is next to impossible.

This should be a match to use Werner to his strengths. City will dominate the ball more than likely and Pulisic Havertz and Werner up top could hit them on the break. Think we will need Big Game Money Mase tho in the squad to follow and annoy the sh*t out of Rodrigo and De Bruyne with Kante all match long

1-0 to us.

Gilmour starts and gets MOTM.

Munkworth's cat has tuna for dinner.

Match day.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

1 minute ago, Hemel Blue said:

Match day.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

Seconded.

Come on Chelsea !