Who’d be in your Chelsea XI v QPR today?

It seems as though everyone in the media is concentrating on a handshake, or lack of one, when it comes to today’s game between QPR & Chelsea at Loftus Road.

There is more than the usual amount of animosity between the two clubs in the aftermath of the John Terry v Anton Ferdinand court case in which JT was acquitted of racially abusing Ferdinand. Both outfits have pleaded for their supporters to be calm & hopefully we’ll do our talking on the pitch.

First up is the team news. Chris Foy is out of action for QPR this time around and Andre Marriner will officiate the game between the London clubs. Anton Ferdinand is expected to start for QPR after overcoming a shoulder injury which is great news for us as he’s not a good defender. We may also see a familiar face as Jose Bosingwa may start at right-back for the home side.

John Terry and Ashley Cole should feature for the European Champions after recovering from their respective ankle injuries. We’re without a win in our last seven away matches against London clubs, you’d hope this will change today and it’d be a great time for Terry to score his 50th goal for Chelsea.

Team I’d pick today:

P. Cech

C. Azpilicueta – G. Cahill – J. Terry (c) – A. Cole

J. Mikel – F. Lampard

D. Sturridge – E. Hazard – J. Mata

F. Torres

I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t mind seeing what our new right-back can do and after their performances against Atletico Madrid, wouldn’t mind seeing the likes of Branislav Ivanovic (worst game he’s played for us) and David Luiz (night summed up when he attempted a clearance with a back-heel) sit this one out. Gary Cahill didn’t cover himself in glory that night either but the communication between himself and JT appears to be more natural that it does with the Brazilian.

Selling Raul Meireles to Turkish side Fenerbahce left me scratching my head as he was one half of the best midfield pivot we’ve seen so far this season. I’m not against the fact we sold him, even though I believe him to be a useful player to have, but the timing of it was awful as we could not replace him – another Ron Gourlay masterstroke?

I don’t think Frank Lampard is particularly comfortable in the role judging by his performances there and doesn’t enjoy the role as much as the one he fulfils for England. Since he signed I’ve mooted Oscar for the central midfield role but could we see him play there sooner than expected following Meireles’ exit?

Fernando Torres has had a decent start to the season but simply has to kick-on and keep it up. The Spaniard will make his 50th league appearance for the Blues today and has only scored nine goals, he scored 33 in his first 50 for Liverpool and has a long way to go before anyone can truly claim “he’s back”…in fact, when people stop saying that we will know that he is back.

Wouldn’t mind giving Daniel Sturridge a chance in this game. The player’s contract is up in the summer and we didn’t sell him, so we have to be serious about him and extend his stay…or Gourlay may let him become the next in a long list of players that leave for nothing.

Who would be in your Chelsea XI v Queens Park Rangers? Have your say in the comments section below