European champions Chelsea will start their Premier League campaign against Wigan tomorrow at the DW Stadium and we need to hit the ground running.
Branislav Ivanovic will be available for selection despite his red card against Manchester City in the Community Shield match, as cards during pre-season do not result in bans. The only player that isn’t available for selection is Marko Marin, who is struggling with a hamstring injury.
The team I’d play:
P. Cech
B. Ivanovic – G. Cahill – J. Terry (c) – A. Cole
J. Mikel – F. Lampard
Ramires – E. Hazard – R. Bertrand
F. Torres
In terms of the defence, the only question is who would you start, David Luiz or Gary Cahill? My preference is for the latter as I believe him to be the more composed defender and although Luiz is incredibly talented, but his tendency to rush out and commit himself is incredibly annoying. Luiz showed us last season that he can reign it in and concentrate on his job, he just needs to do this on a regular basis. However, I wouldn’t mind seeing him play at right-back as he’d have a lot more to offer going forward than Ivanovic, but I don’t see the manager going for it.
The midfield didn’t look great against City, especially John Obi Mikel, who gave the ball away more times in that game than he did last season. He got a hell of a lot of abuse for that performance but it’s not something he makes a habit of, when Roberto Di Matteo took charge last season Mikel only gave the ball away 15 times in total. I’m not sure what plans Di Matteo has for Oscar, who could make his debut tomorrow, but I think in the long-term he’s seen as someone that could potentially take over from Frank Lampard.
Juan Mata was completely anonymous against City and looked wrecked, I wouldn’t blame him as he was on international duty for both the European Championships and the Olympics. Give the boy a rest. Leaving him out tomorrow would also give us the opportunity to play Eden Hazard in his natural position. Also would like to see the ever improving Ryan Bertrand start on the in front of Ashley Cole, to keep the width on that side. Ramires to start on the right, but could eventually be replaced by Oscar, depending on which position the youngster will be asked to play.
Up front, Torres, the only establish centre-forward in the squad. Hope he can build on his performance against the Citizens last weekend.
Cech cole luiz cahil ivanovic mikel mereilles ramirez oscar hazard torres
Mikel is pants I don’t care if he had a couple of good games at the end of the season against barca and bayern when he had numerous players around him at all times it doesent show his true colours. He’s slow, commits alot of silly fouls and he ain’t a great passer. He takes too Many touches and the list goes on he should be no more than a squad player and that’s what nearly all managers have thought. Essien will be back thi year as a dm destroyer just remember it takes a full year too recover from those cruciate knee ligament injuries
seems u guys dont kw about lucas piazon,cant wait for dat kid to start featuring
chelsea need to play 4-3-3 which is playing cech,luis-terry-ivanomicv-,cole.lamparad-essien-ramires-mata-hazard-torres
i think essien is fear better than mikel
I’d start Romeu in place of mikel or essian, i don’t know from which angle does he looks like a player to play such a big role & making tons of mistakes every time he plays . Romeu was always superb and fluent when he started in place of mikel , he’s passing skill are just adoreable but can’t see any thing improving in mikel , i know Africans will always think mikel was always great even when he was poor i don’t mind that but we all know what he does when he gets the ball lol
I’d start Romeu in place of mikel or essian, i don’t know from which angle does he(mikel) looks like a player to play such a big role & making tons of mistakes every time he plays . Romeu was always superb and fluent when he started in place of mikel , he’s passing skill are just adoreable but can’t see any thing improving in mikel , i know Africans will always think mikel was always great even when he was poor i don’t mind that but we all know what he does when he gets the ball lol thats not the way we all Chelsea fans want to play with our new squad mikel will ruin it surely with his “slow passing,miss passing,poor defending,lack of consentration,lack of creativity & playing the ball backwards everytime he gets” im sure true fans will agree with my opinion , Come on Chelsea!!! KTBFFH