Chelsea (H) - Sat 25th Jan, 17:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[MCFC1993]

Dias and Doku out ffs.

Bigger squad needed next season, too many games, half the squad can't stay fit.

 

[Kamikaze Blue]

feck knows with this one.Wednesday was a reality check. Depressing that Dias is crocked again. Our attacking play has improved and they are vulnerable. But jesus our defence. Sooner we integrate the new lads the better.

 

[Vialli98]

Any team news the Chelsea end?

I agree, Recent results counts for fuck all, Who knows what type of game it will be as both teams are very inconsistent.

Lavia is out again, sadly. He's made of glass that lad. Enzo and Colwill are doubts as they missed the last game and haven't really trained much this week. Apart from that, we're good. Reece James is likely to start again. Not sure which combination of wingers we'll go with between Madueke, Sancho and Neto.

Palmer has been a bit off it in recent weeks. Hopefully he can recapture some of his early season form.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

No Ruben or Ake means if we were 3 nil up I'd only be remotely confident of a win if there were less than 5 minutes to play of injury time (maybe less)

 

[King Jay]

Pep saying Khusanov not speaking English might hinder him/us like as if our backline talk to each other without Dias there anyway lol

Good we paid 40M for a CB who is not getting playtime because he can’t speak English. Good job. He better starts. We have no choice

 

[BringBackSwales]

Ortega

Nunes
Khusanov
Stones
Gvardiol

Gundogan
Kovacic

Grealish - think we're going to need his ball keeping ability
Marmoush
Savinho

Haaland

Rest KDB, Foden, Akanji for Brugge on Wednesday if possible

Not a chance. Sort tomorrow out and then think about Wednesday afterwards

 

[EdersonsSmiley]

No Ruben or Ake means if we were 3 nil up I'd only be remotely confident of a win if there were less than 5 minutes to play of injury time (maybe less)

So true.

To be positive, a defense with them both in should be pretty formidable so we might have a decent chance in the cups.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Pep saying Khusanov not speaking English might hinder him/us like as if our backline talk to each other without Dias there anyway lol

Sergio Aguero was with us from 2011 to 2021 and barely speaks English even now. Agree it’s an issue but let’s not overstate it - if he can tackle, head and mark I’m not too bothered what else he says or does!!

 

[Lord Blue]

Not a chance. Sort tomorrow out and then think about Wednesday afterwards

you're probably right. and to be fair the PL is probably more important atm.

 

[Lord Blue]

Laid out like that, that is one poor side that.

i was going to like your reply as i agree. but i don't like the fact that the side looks poor.

top and bottom of it is we're a little ragged, and probably will be until the new lads are bedded in.

 

[Kamikaze Blue]

Pep saying Khusanov not speaking English might hinder him/us like our backline talk to each other without Dias there anyway lol

I remember an interview with Paul Lambert about his first game for Dortmund. He spent the first half clueless, shitting himself, and ran into the dressing room at half time and demanded someone quickly teach him how to say 'Left' 'Right' and 'Man On' in German!

 

[sarcastico]

Their defense is pony.

4-3 thriller.

Edi
Khusanov Akanji Gvardiol
Nunes Kovačić
Bernardo KDB Foden Savinho
Haaland

Moushy comes in at 70' to get the winner.

 

[decmancity]

Sergio Aguero was with us from 2011 to 2021 and barely speaks English even now. Agree it’s an issue but let’s not overstate it - if he can tackle, head and mark I’m not too bothered what else he says or does!!

Might be best he doesn't understand. Just let him do his job.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Yep injuries are happening all through the premier spurs is way worse posto though happy to play the youth players where as Pep rather play first teamers with slight knocks...

Whilst admirable, they are something like 15th.

 

[Bluewars II]

Best options for midfield (imo)
1. Drop Kova, play Wright next to Gundo.
2. Drop Kova, play Akanji next to Gundo.
3. Play Gundo and Stones.

 

[MCFC1993]

Pep saying Khusanov not speaking English might hinder him/us like our backline talk to each other without Dias there anyway lol

I remember an interview with Paul Lambert about his first game for Dortmund. He spent the first half clueless, shitting himself, and ran into the dressing room at half time and demanded someone quickly teach him how to say 'Left' 'Right' and 'Man On' in German!

He's a daft twat, most of the Dortmund squad probably spoke better English than him.

 

[MCFC1993]

Best options for midfield (imo)
1. Drop Kova, play Wright next to Gundo.
2. Drop Kova, play Akanji next to Gundo.
3. Play Gundo and Stones.

4) Ask Paranaense if we can sign Fernandinho on loan for 5 months.

 

[BringBackSwales]

you're probably right. and to be fair the PL is probably more important atm.

Yes it is, and no disrespect to club Bruges but I think Chelsea are a better side than them

 

[noseve]

Grealish had 15 touches and made 6 passes in 45mins vs PSG..What's this ball keeping ability of his you speak of?

Good point, but right now, anybody having 15 touches that lead to 2 goals is difficult to ignore, surely?

 

[noseve]

Too much is made of language difficulties. If defending an attack relies upon one player understanding a message from another - whilst the game is running at 100mph - you're buggered anyway...

Just 90 minutes together on the pitch will form much more of an understanding than taking English lessons ever will.