Chelsea (H) | Pre-Match Thread

[Dax777]

Aguero has to start against chelsea because he always scores against them.
Ederson
Walker diaz laporte zincho
Kevin Rodri Gundogan
Mahrez Aguero Sterling

This is the team I'd play. Probably rest Mahrez too for Gabby

 

[northstandgiveusasong]

Full strength side on Saturday. It doesn't matter whether or not we play that same side in Istanbul. Different day, different scenario. Get the league won on Saturday, rest players but not too much. Resting too much is as bad as playing too much, a fine balance is needed.

 

[Bluekiwi]

We should line-up with the strongest side possible. Sure Tuchel will be able to get an idea of our tactics against them in the game - but it is not a one-off winner takes all. And he has got three more games after this weekend to watch us on video - same as Pep will be watching them in their games.
Also, Pep will be able to see how their defence lines up against our attackers - that will give him more clues on how to overcome them in the final.

 

[JGL07]

The more I think about this match, the more I think that City need to go as strong as possible.

Chelsea are under pressure from West Ham, Spurs, and the Dippers for the Champions League place. They are three points ahead of West Ham, five ahead of Spurs and seven ahead of Liverpool, who have an extra match.

Lose to City and West Ham could be breathing down their neck. After playing City, Chelsea face Arsenal, Leicester twice (once in the FA Cup), and Villa before the CL Final. Lose to City and they will be forced to go strong every match. West Ham have a considerably easier run-in with Everton, Brighton, West Brom and Southampton.

If City play silly buggers with a weakened team v Chelsea, will potentially take the pressure off them. That might allow them to rotate in their last two matches.

 

[citymad]

To me it makes absolutely zero sense to give them a practice run at playing our best team. Save that for the final. Tuchel is a smart coach, he would learn too much from it. Wheel out Mendy and co. 8+ changes please. Play the 44 fucking 2 that faced Palace, absolutely nothing like what will face them in the final. I want the team to be as far away from that side as is imaginable, both in personnel and in tactics.

Can’t really argue with that approach. Makes sense but I’d like to see us wrap the title up way before the final. However if Pep does what you say takes a gamble and we win, that would be perfect.

 

[citymad]

This is so incredibly tough to call. Can you imagine what it’s like for Pep and Tuchel ?

 

[PinkFinal]

For me the rest of this league season is all about preventing injuries to key players

 

[Uncle_Berbs]

So many pros and cons for playing a full strength side against Chelsea. On the bright side, winning this game wraps up the league for us and mounts pressure on Chelsea to win their remaining league games before the CL final. This will allow us to rotate and keep everyone fresh while they will be required to keep playing their strongest side in the remaining league games to secure a top four finish and qualify for CL next season.

Important to note that the winners of the CL Final automatically qualify for next seasons CL group stages and undoubtedly this will be on Chelsea’s mind (i.e. they won’t need to finish in the top four if they manage to win the CL Final). The thought of that alone makes me sick.

My point is, they have a way of qualifying for CL next seasons CL without finishing in the top four, although they wouldn’t want to leave it that late to qualify.

Playing a strong side against Chelsea risks us losing key players to injury. Nonetheless, we need to keep our players match fit through rotation in and out until the end of the season. I think Aguero starting against Chelsea is a no brainer. Played well against Palace and for his service to the club over the years, he needs to be given the chance to score two more goals and become the player with the most PL goals for a single club.

He deserves nothing less than that record and a CL trophy for his service to the club and the fans. Come on City!!

 

[Bluekiwi]

Many, many years ago when a team won an FA Cup semi final and then rested players or the players didn't play hard because they didn't want to get an injury they usually ended up bombing out in the final. Players going into a final with wins under their belts boosts their confidence.
Whatever any of us want Pep will be Pep and he will put out teams for the remaining league games that he thinks will not only win those games but also minimise the risk of key players losing match sharpness before the final.
In Pep I trust..

 

[applecentral]

Wouldn't 5th be enough for Chelsea to get champions league now because it's an all English final?

Yes very likely. But Chelsea are currently 4th with teams within striking distance of them, meaning they cannot risk dropping pts. On top of that they have a cup final to play against Leicester, which will be another difficult and tiring game.
If we can beat Chelsea this weekend it just adds to the pressure for them. That could easily generate injuries with 5 games to play including the Cup final in 3 weeks. Maybe losing the cup semi final wasn’t such a bad thing even though it pisses us all off.