Conte simply must not start these 2 Chelsea players against West Brom – agreed?
With Chelsea playing West Brom on Sunday, Antonio Conte must ensure that his team selection is absolutely perfect…
Typically, Conte’s team selection leaves very little to the imagination. After all, he has opted to use practically the same side for the best part of 2 months, and so as of late – his teams have become very easy to predict.
However, the West Brom game will be different for several reasons.
Firstly, the game differs from previous weeks in that West Brom represent an opposition that Chelsea will be expected to beat, and so that might cater for a different personnel when compared to a game against a title challenger like Man City.
Furthermore, the festive period is the busiest of the year in terms of fixtures – and so squad rotation is going to be absolutely essential.
That being said, Conte simply must not start these 2 Chelsea players against West Brom – agreed?
Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has been a near constant for Chelsea this season – but Fabregas simply must play in his place.
The Spaniard did well last week against Man City, and deserves to keep his place.
Perhaps more important than that, though, is that West Brom will likely sit in and defend against Chelsea – and Fabregas’ vision will be vital as the Blues attempt to break through what is sure to be a very tough defensive line.
Chelsea do not need Matic’s additional defence – they need more attacking service.
Branislav Ivanovic
Branislav Ivanovic has been out of the Chelsea team as of late, and that simply must continue.
Marcos Alonso was poor at the weekend, and there have been some suggestions that Ivanovic could come in to replace the defender – with Azpilicueta taking his place on the left-hand side.
In truth, Alonso has been good this year – and a blip against Man City, a game in which the Blues still won, should not be taken as a reason to drop him.
Ivanovic simply isn’t good enough anymore.