that is a good question I just hope that Mata gets enough game time and doesnt leave in the transfer window you would think with injuries etc there will be opportunities to get games in
Jose knows what he is doing. None of the top journalists other Martin Samuel have a clue about football because they became journalists before they become football fans. All we need to do is beat Newcastle and WBA then we can relax + hope Liverpool beat Arsenal. If Arsenal can beat Man U the following week that would all but rule them out the title race. United could chase Arsenal, but they can't realistically chase us, Liverpool and City as well. It would be too much.
The thing that gives me hope for the CL and PL is that there was no Lampard, Hazard, Schurrle, Cech, Cole, Terry, Torres and Oscar. No less than 8 regular starters gone and we still in my opinion convincingly beat Arsenal.
Disagree with that, I counted 4 players I think make it into their first 11. I guess it could even be 3 considering Wilshere's form. Nevertheless it really demonstrated the difference between the strength of the two squads. I'm inclined to agree with the Arsenal fans, they probably are better off out of it, they need as few distractions as possible, they simply don't have the squad for it. Personally, I thought Mata was your best player by far although it was good to see Bertrand get a game and do well, I thought he might be done at Chelsea when Mourinho played Azpilicueta at left back over him. Very enjoyable game overall, even if I wanted Arsenal to go through so that we could hopefully draw them.
Very decent results lately Chelsea fans, well done. In what order would you rate your strikers at the moment, as well as for next year with Lukaku back? Would it be Torres>Eto'o>Ba and Torres>Lukaku>Eto'o>Ba for next year?
Forgot to mention I was impressed with Mikel too. I'm definitely not a fan of his but I thought he did really well last night. Arsenal might not have been so strong in defence and up top but in midfield they were strong and moved it well so Mikel deserves credit for keeping his composure well and breaking up attacks.
Yes you did. But Arsenal were really ****. Playing Bentdner was like playing with 10 men if not worse. Wenger had either miscalculated or couldn't give a damn about the competition.
Was a pretty comfortable performance, which was surprising. I expected us to work much harder than that. Bertrand was quality last night, I don't really get why he didn't play against Schalke but the decision not to play him definitely paid off. I do rate Bertrand i just hope he doesn't decide he wants first team football any soon because when Cole does eventually finish with us then Bertrand is the perfect replacement. Thought Mikel was really good aswell, as he was when he came on against City. I'd be tempted to go with him instead of Lampard for the Newcastle game, frees up Ramires is a bit more too. I could never predict who'd play as the 3 behind the striker though. Thought Mata and Willian both did enough to earn a start but with Schurrle, Hazard and Oscar in form it'll be hard to get in. Good chance of the trophy now, especially if that's how good out second XI is!
Arsenal were so rubbish that I wouldn't draw too many conclusions. Until they removed Bentdner and that Japanese player they were not even championship class...
Mikel is no mug, and was in great form before Rafa screwed him up. He is a good attacking mid being played as a defensive mid by Chelsea. He is also the best natural partner for Lampard, who is streets better when Mikel is with him. Great club asset, undervalued by too many.
Hazard. Jose keeps telling us form is everything and most people are wondering what has happened to Hazards form. Answer ? Jose has him playing an unnatural game. He and Mata are the 2 victims of Joses' stubbornness to make players play his way, even if it diminishes their performances. One aspect of Jose I disagree with. Play to your strengths.
there is always an optimist you can't be serious.. if you look at last season we have lost almost all matches when Lamps + Mikel started. Both slow as snail, that is a recipe for disaster! can't agree more. One thing I don't like with Jose is his stubbornness.. he would never play Luiz in the middle just coz Rafa introduced that sytem.
Have you been watching Hazard over the past 4 games? Been probably our best player along with Torres. Not sure how Mata and Hazard are 'victims' either? Players adapt to their manager's style, and that is what they're both doing. We can't expect it to be hunky dory from the get go, Jose now has the squad starting to play in a certain way and it will still take time.
Hazard has been excellent recently, adapting to Jose's gameplan. The tail should not wag the dog or whatever the expression is. Let's win matches. Chelsea matters not mata
