I would expect CHO to start if fit as LWB.

I would also expect Mendy to start, sub-in Kepa if it looks like penalties.

Additionally I see Lukaku  being on the bench. 

 

 

Will our players make a statement, probably on the under shirt, about the war ahead of or during this game? If so how will Roman respond, if it at all?

Eyes of many will be on us, if the players want to make a statement they have the occasion to do so.

14 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Will our players make a statement, probably on the under shirt, about the war ahead of or during this game? If so how will Roman respond, if it at all?

Eyes of many will be on us, if the players want to make a statement they have the occasion to do so.

I honestly hope that our players are focusing on the game itself because Liverpool will be looking for a win and if they get it, it's going to be amplified by the media 10 times over. Keep your eyes on the prize I say.

2 minutes ago, Gol15 said:

I honestly hope that our players are focusing on the game itself because Liverpool will be looking for a win and if they get it, it's going to be amplified by the media 10 times over. Keep your eyes on the prize I say.

TT comments on the matter already shows both he and the players are not fully focused on the game.

Honestly think there is a better chance that the whole team walks out of the game right from kick off than we see any semblance of a really focused footballing display.

6 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

TT comments on the matter already shows both he and the players are not fully focused on the game.

Honestly think there is a better chance that the whole team walks out of the game right from kick off than we see any semblance of a really focused footballing display.

Liverpool won't mind.

1 minute ago, Gol15 said:

Liverpool won't mind.

Not that it matters with everything going on now but is very likely the cup is theirs.

Much bigger things at stake though and I would not blame the players this time. According to TT they know no more than we do, meaning there is the possibility Roman is supporting Putin and I cannot imagine how players like Dave would be feeling about that, other than completely bemused and betrayed.

I think we already lost this final before this beggining 😕 

10 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Not that it matters with everything going on now but is very likely the cup is theirs.

Much bigger things at stake though and I would not blame the players this time. According to TT they know no more than we do, meaning there is the possibility Roman is supporting Putin and I cannot imagine how players like Dave would be feeling about that, other than completely bemused and betrayed.

Then best not to play the final at all, resign and give them the trophy and say you're sorry for coming all the way to the final, pay the fans back their money.

50 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

TT comments on the matter already shows both he and the players are not fully focused on the game.

Honestly think there is a better chance that the whole team walks out of the game right from kick off than we see any semblance of a really focused footballing display.

Well they should be focused on the game. They have a job to do. The war isn't in this country, so they need to focus and play the game and try win the trophy. 

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Will our players make a statement, probably on the under shirt, about the war ahead of or during this game? If so how will Roman respond, if it at all?

Eyes of many will be on us, if the players want to make a statement they have the occasion to do so.

Unfortunately I feel like we will be the villains even before kickoff.. 

Liverpool will come out with their stop war t shirts and we will be in our regular jerseys.. 

Our only hope is that our fans are vocal and luck is in our side because as of today Liverpool are clearly the better team

6 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

Unfortunately I feel like we will be the villains even before kickoff.. 

Liverpool will come out with their stop war t shirts and we will be in our regular jerseys.. 

Our only hope is that our fans are vocal and luck is in our side because as of today Liverpool are clearly the better team

Sadly I think you are right. Club, players and fans will be tarred with the same brush.

1 hour ago, The Don Antonio said:

Unfortunately I feel like we will be the villains even before kickoff.. 

Liverpool will come out with their stop war t shirts and we will be in our regular jerseys.. 

Our only hope is that our fans are vocal and luck is in our side because as of today Liverpool are clearly the better team

Only if you buy into that narrative, hasn't Chelsea as a club been the villain already in the past regardless of what happens in the world? If our squad focuses on the game and wins it, things around the game won't matter. If they focus on stupid things and lose because of it then Liverpool will gloat...

I liked the 🇺🇦 at the Everton game it’s time for putting petty football  rivalries aside and backing The Ukrainian people right now, that being said don’t expect the bin dipping vermin to be like The Toffees. Both teams form is exemplary they have scored a lot more but that’s obvious why. Still only need a clean sheet for the potential to win a match and we’ve just done a few in a row. I hope Havertz and Mendy start the other places will pick themselves.
 

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/26/statement-from-club-owner-roman-abramovich

 

Looks like Roman is trying to protect us from whatever blowback comes away because of the Nut Job Putin...

Edited February 26, 20224 yr by The Don Antonio

25 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/26/statement-from-club-owner-roman-abramovich

 

Looks like Roman is trying to protect us from whatever blowback comes away because of the Nut Job Putin...

Raises more questions than answers for me. 

Football wise far more concerned about our long term future than this one game now.

41 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/26/statement-from-club-owner-roman-abramovich

 

Looks like Roman is trying to protect us from whatever blowback comes away because of the Nut Job Putin...

 

14 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Raises more questions than answers for me. 

Football wise far more concerned about our long term future than this one game now.

Yeah I'm super confused, I'm not saying it's shady I trust Mr Abrama, but it sounds almost like he's trying at least for the short-term to distance himself from us 🤔

1 minute ago, LongtimerLurker said:

 

Yeah I'm super confused, I'm not saying it's shady I trust Mr Abrama, but it sounds almost like he's trying at least for the short-term to distance himself from us 🤔

If it's for the best of the club, which as you can see it is, then he's doing the right thing. 

40 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Raises more questions than answers for me. 

Football wise far more concerned about our long term future than this one game now.

Roman aint going nowhere. He knows that the sharks are coming for him due to his association with Putin and is just shielding us from it. Once this Russia and Ukraine stuff is over. Its not like Marina and Buck haven't been running the club since his Visa was revoked

28 minutes ago, LongtimerLurker said:

 

Yeah I'm super confused, I'm not saying it's shady I trust Mr Abrama, but it sounds almost like he's trying at least for the short-term to distance himself from us 🤔

Which is obviously in our best interest. The Media and even Politicians have been trying to smear our club name due to our owner. 

17 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

Which is obviously in our best interest. The Media and even Politicians have been trying to smear our club name due to our owner. 

Don't think Johnson was, it was ironic that RA came here under Blair and one of his former Ministers (Y-front man) attacks him in parliament, with parliamentary privilege so he can't be sued.

 

Best of luck to the team and traveling fans today. Hopefully a spirit lifting occasion and a good result for our club to enjoy. Hope some from the shed end got tickets.

Honestly don't have the heart to watch it myself, been left too downtrodden and numb with the images, reports and videos coming out of Ukraine.

On 26/02/2022 at 13:43, Mod said:

With respect to Tommy, he shouldn't have even talked about it. Keep it all football. It's putting more light on it affecting the team, when you actually say that it is in an interview. Whats happening upstairs is down to them to discuss.

I wonder if that is right though. The whole team will be talking about it anyway. Possibly better to say something set the tone and then get back to football. If there is an elephant in the room don't pretend it isn't there, be a bit honest and then get on with the job.

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Best of luck to the team and traveling fans today. Hopefully a spirit lifting occasion and a good result for our club to enjoy. Hope some from the shed end got tickets.

Honestly don't have the heart to watch it myself, been left too downtrodden and numb with the images, reports and videos coming out of Ukraine.

I don't think I agree with that attitude. Many of us on here will have friends or relatives in or recently in Ukraine. I spent a week on the outskirts of Kyiv in 2008 flying in a world championship model plane comp. People are going to die defending Ukraine, very likely including the president. More than 1 million died in Vietnam, according to NPR 1 million Afghanis died in the russian/afghan war. And yet the rest of life still matters. Football provides a relief from the horrors of everyday life and it unites us

 

Match Day !

Come On Chelsea!!