Okay boys, i'll kick us off as everyone seems to be away or brooding or apathetic or lazy. Sarri gets our first game underway against huddersfield. He's mentioned that we'll lose most of our games until his methods are implemented. I remember pep struggling in his first season too. Anyway, i'm hopeful as i do think even if we're not brilliant going forward, our team should be solid provided he plays this: Kepa (looking forward to seeing him) Dave Rudiger Luiz Alonso (although i was hoping emerson played) Kante Jorginho Kovacic (i wouldn't be against RLC or Barkley taking this slot) Willian (although i hope its pedro) Morata (giroud would be better) Hazard I'm guessing people here will be crying out of hudson odoi and whilst he's had an excellent pre season, i just don't see him starting. I think maybe he needs to go onto the right wing as i can't see us shifting Hazard over unless we decide to play hazard in the middle which i wouldn't be averse too. **** it since i've started this is what i'd love to see Kepa Dave Rudiger Luiz Emerson Kante Jorginho Willian Pedro Hazard Giroud Come on you blues
I think it’ll be Kepa Azpi - Rudi - Luiz - Alonso Barkley - Jorginho - Fab Pedro - Morata - Willian When everyone is fit I think Kovacic and Kanté will replace Fab and Barkley and Hazard will replace Pedro. Think Left Back, Centre Back & Striker are up for grabs too! Fancy is to win tomorrow, 3-1.
I wouldn't play Kante or Hazard until another week of training. Think Gareth has got it right, but I'd play RLC instead of Fabregas and Abraham, as Morata is useless. Still Sarri has to give everyone a go and sort the good from the also rans. My worry is Sarri sticks with the same players too long. Someone like Barkley, who has caught Sarris eye, might keep getting selected and hold back RLC getting a run for instance. I guess he has to start somewhere, since we put him 4 weeks behind everyone else, but he really might need some time, as what he is introducing could take a couple of months to work properly. Good luck to him, he's been dropped in it by the Club.
Huddersfield did very well to stay in the Premiership last season. They’re sure to get a few shock wins this season against top opposition and I’m hoping one of them will not be against us. Anyway, I’m going for Huddersfield 1 Chelsea 4.
No Cescy YES Party!!!! Heck he is not in the Match Day!! Hope sign of things to follow & 4th Spot highly likely then. Would have started Hudson over Pedro & Ofcourse Emerson over Alonso! Can carry one passenger Alonso!! 10.5 vs 11 then!! Can get 1-2.. but will be chuffed for a CS for Kepa.
had midfield three of Ross, Jorgi & God in my FPL team... FFS, transferred out Ross & God in fear of Cescy!! Jorgi too in Subs bench now .. I don't mind... as long as we are winning
Few other intangibles.. Will can actually shield defensive frailties of Alonso. Will can actually clear the first man in Corner taking.. All these things Cescy had no hope or chance on top of the obvious cannot defend, cannot run, cannot score!! Should be called 'Cannot' Fabregas instead of 'Cescy' F
Very nice win by our team. Looked a bit shakey as the ball went wide very easily. A team with better wingers will skin Alonso all day long and we were exposed today as sarri had the back 4 really narrow in the first half and Barkley didn't track the right back properly. Still we made adjustments second half and dominated. Kante and jorginho together was great. Pedro had a really good game. Morata looked a bit better but I think we will be better with hazard. Barkley was okay. Luiz and rudiger looked really good. Dave isn't great going forward but defender well. I'm liking the one touch passing we saw and hazards cameo was really exciting. As mentioned before its got to be him or willian as both together don't work well. As for our keeper I thought he was very good. He made a brilliant interception on Mounie as he was going to go through on goal and looked fairly solid. Didn't really get to see what he was like under crosses. His footwork wasn't too bad and he had a few nervy kicks but hopefully that was just nerves
My happiness was short lived. Looks like Cescy has a knock. Hope Knock is euphemism for 'Dropped'. Will plead some Serie A team to take him on free. We have no Hope if Cescy comes on and begins to get Starts.
Pretty fair synopsis, I thought Alonso looked a tad rusty and will improve with playing time. Other than that I thought he played well and with a bit more luck would have scored a goal himself. Also nice to see Luiz back but thought his positioning was poor on crosses though. Morata probably showed enough to justify his selection but needs a goal for his confidence. Rudiger & Dave were impeccable as usual and considering our build up/managerial late change/World Cup I thought there was enough promise to be enthusiastic of our chances for a top four spot this year. Unlike other idiots on here who just regurgitate the same ****e non stop, year in year out most of us seem hopeful.
Mostly agree with BobbyD. Loved the pairing of Kante and Jorginho, they worked very well together. We will of course face must stiffer tests in defence, starting with next week, but I saw enough there to make me hopeful that we can get back up there. Not talking the title, you need a decent striker for that, but top 4 for sure, IF we can carry on like this.
Also encouraging was Sarris post game comment. " I need to adapt to the perculiarities of the PL and the qualities of my players" ( not verbatim but what he meant in his modest English) This great to hear he may not be as rigid as usual and understands that the PL is different from Seria A very encouraging start , can't expect more than that and 3 points more than last year !!