EARLY

Has to be Kovacic and Zakaria in the midfield. Has. To. Be.

I would assume that all of Jorginho, Mount and Havertz were being rested with this game in mind. Consequently, all of them presumably start.

I also think this is an opportunity to try out Mount behind Havertz and Broja. Rest Silva, Mendy and Sterling. Azpilicueta at wing-back if James can't start twice in a couple of weeks. No idea who is fit to partner Jorginho in midfield - would assume it will be Loftus-Cheek again. 

@Gol15 The commentators for the West Ham game mentioned that there were some complications with Zakaria's work permit. I have no idea whether or not that's true, but it could be a factor. I also have no idea about his match fitness.

Assuming Zakaria has his permit in order I hope for heavy rotation.

Silva and Mendy should stay home.

 

Kepa

 

Dave

Fofana

Koulibaly 

Cucurella

 

Gallagher

Zakaria 

 

Ziyech

Havertz

Pulisic

 

Broja

7 hours ago, coco said:

EARLY

Hmmm… Quoting a job on Monday that I was hoping to do after work (4pm) on the Tuesday but it potentially could take me 2 hours. Decisions to be made!

Just now, Munkworth said:

Hmmm… Quoting a job on Monday that I was hoping to do after work (4pm) on the Tuesday but it potentially could take me 2 hours. Decisions to be made!

Miss the first 15 minutes, or give the customer the quickest spiel ever.

I dont think there will be that much rotation. Champions league games are important. I could see Chalobah coming in for Silva and I could see an Albanian starting in Zagreb. Its more time together and not more rotation that is needed right now.

Sterling Broja and Havertz looks the best front 3 presently available.

Other than that no changes.

Edited September 3, 20223 yr by ozboy

16 minutes ago, ozboy said:

I dont think there will be that much rotation. Champions league games are important. I could see Chalobah coming in for Silva and I could see an Albanian starting in Zagreb. Its more time together and not more rotation that is needed right now.

Sterling Broja and Havertz looks the best front 3 presently available.

Other than that no changes.

They are but apparently our opponents are not very good.

5 hours ago, axman2526 said:

They are but apparently our opponents are not very good.

Famous last words?

5 hours ago, axman2526 said:

They are but apparently our opponents are not very good.

Coming first in Croatian league easily.  They seem to have a new 20 year old forward Orsic with 5 goals and 4 assists already. They will be at home. 
so yeah all we have to do is turn up and they will just let us walk all over them. 

I was curious as to whether we would be forced to leave anyone out of the Champions League squad. According to this we had to submit our 25-man CL squad list by 2nd September (although they don't seem to have been announced anywhere).

Looks like our current squad (according to Wiki) is 25 men exactly, and has more than enough 'locally-trained players' (8 minimum are required to get the full allocation of 25 players). At least 2 of the 25 are also required to be goalkeepers, of which we have 3:

List A

"Locally-trained players"

1 Loftus-Cheek
2 Chalobah
3 Sterling
4 Mount
5 Chilwell
6 Gallagher
7 James
8 Broja
9 Chukwuemeka
10 Bettinelli (GK)

11 Kepa (GK)
12 Mendy (GK)
13 Jorginho
14 Silva
15 Kovačić
16 Kanté
17 Aubameyang
18 Pulisic
19 Zakaria
20 Ziyech
21 Koulibaly
22 Azpilicueta
23 Havertz
24 Cucurella
25 Fofana

Whatever happens Thiago Silva should be left behind in England

Think we've learned by now that Tuchel takes the CL seriously. No matter the opponent. 

That being said, I would very much like to see this. 

 

Kepa

James Fofana Koulibaly Cucurella

Zakaria  Kovacic

Gallagher                    Sterling

Havertz    Broja

18 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Assuming Zakaria has his permit in order I hope for heavy rotation.

Silva and Mendy should stay home.

Yeah, and for one of those two it should be permanent.

14 hours ago, Valerie said:

Famous last words?

Maybe Val, we will soon see 😉

14 hours ago, ozboy said:

Coming first in Croatian league easily.  They seem to have a new 20 year old forward Orsic with 5 goals and 4 assists already. They will be at home. 
so yeah all we have to do is turn up and they will just let us walk all over them. 

Let's be fair our first choice side has gone to Everton, played sh*t and fluked a win, gone to Leeds and Saints and bended over for them.

The first choice players are not a sure thing, is the lineup I submitted so bad in comparison?

16 hours ago, ozboy said:

Coming first in Croatian league easily.  They seem to have a new 20 year old forward Orsic with 5 goals and 4 assists already. They will be at home. 
so yeah all we have to do is turn up and they will just let us walk all over them. 

19 year old attacking mid Baturina will go for big money probably next summer. Dinamo is in form right now and  Chelsea is not. Would not surprise me if Dinamo get a good result in this game. 

Give Kepa a game to see where he's at, Borja to get a start, leave Silva at home , give James a bit of rest if we could afford it. With CL group stage, you want a good start and wrap it up as early as possible, so expect Tuchel to go with a strong team.

6 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Maybe Val, we will soon see 😉

Let's be fair our first choice side has gone to Everton, played sh*t and fluked a win, gone to Leeds and Saints and bended over for them.

The first choice players are not a sure thing, is the lineup I submitted so bad in comparison?

ah it wasn't the team it was the "not very good" thing that I noticed. Should be a fun game in zagreb.

4 minutes ago, ozboy said:

ah it wasn't the team it was the "not very good" thing that I noticed. Should be a fun game in zagreb.

I asked about them when the draw was made and someone replied they are pretty horrible, so I guess we will see of they are right.

They are the 4th seeds and of we plan on qualifying we need to beat them home and away. Salzburg present a real Banana skin imo, this group may be quite tricky given our form.

I am convinced the side I suggested will not only give Silva rest but will come home with the 3 points and hopefully goals for Broja and Havertz.

We need this win and to beat Fulham to pick up some momentum, get a few wins on the Trott before we face Pool and invariably either draw or lose that one.

Edited September 5, 20223 yr by axman2526

Rotation in CL games never seem to materilialize. Players love the comp so much they demand to play in it. I think there is added pressure towards the coach on those nights.

Kepa will probably start

will be a good game to bring him in to send a message to Mendy that he needs to improve. I don't believe he's unfit to play. 

I have a feeling a game like this could be one where we find some joy and gain some confidence. I wouldn't rotate too many players.

I would bring in Kepa & Chalobah en start Chilwell as a reward for his good performance against the pikeys 

restore Mount and Havertz (give him 60 minutes and then bring on Broja)

This ground rocks. Quieting the crowd will be key to success. 

Havertz

Mount

Pulisic

 

Chilwell

Jorginho

Loftus Cheek

James

 

Azpilicueta

Chalobah

Koulibaly

 

Mendy

 

Champions League football is just brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I love comps outside England where other things than solely speed win you things.

I know nothing about their side but I am guessing this will be much more of a chess game than just speed affair...not that our games have been quick..

A good game for Jorginho to start. I would also start Azpi and Trev. Maybe Chilly also. 

Apparently Zakaria work permit has arrived as he is in the squad for the game, and Auba is as well with his protective mask allowing him to be involved. Will either start?