I think we'll start with the same 11. The only possible change is FF for Amat, but I got a feeling Garry will stick with the same 11 because Amat has been a big part of our 100% record so far. Montero will probably come off the bench. Dyer and Routledge are definite starters, they've both been superb this season. Also have you noticed the Angel / Dyer / Sigurdsson / Jonjo partnetship developing. Some of their interplay against West Brom was truly world class. We're on to something lads...
We might break down a bit against such quality that Fernandez's natural ability might be a huge plus, throw him in and lets get him going imo
Not sure about that. I was all for Fernandez getting a start after we bought him but Amat deserves to keep his place purely based on performance. He has been superb so far and it would be harsh to drop him imo.
There will be more of a workload for defence this game , Amat has had it reasonably easy to this point and believe he might struggle this game . This is a perfect game for Fernandez to strut his stuff
Yes I think Freddie will get a start at the bridge as it will be 'Zulu' time for the 1st and last 20 minutes so we need experience at the back - if Freddie can sing as well thats a bonus
Based on what I saw last night against Germany, I am not convinced that Fernandez is as good as we'd like to think or that he is back to his peak fitness if that is a factor. The German forward line had trouble remembering each other's names never mind stringing two passes together when it mattered - so I wouldn't take last night's match as a true measure of FF. Chelsea on the other hand certainly would be. Amat has been pretty solid. He is technically competent and has the ability to play our style of football without thinking about it. I think he needs to be on the field not on the bench - he offers a lot of value. Perhaps as a full back or perhaps as a defensive midfielder leaving Ki to play the CM role and put Shelvey on the bench. Probably, unless players return from international duty with a knock, the line-up will be unchanged. I think the issues around Taylor still remain. Same with Shelvey - consistency, more focus, less heroics especially when a smarter, easier pass is on etc.
Bony's hasnt scored , Fernandez hasnt played in league , Amat has... Britton's out , Taylor is getting games in and WILL come good and we are 3 - 0......3 -0 and we still have the calvary to arrive . Things are actually looking pretty good yankee.
If everyone is fit, why would we change a team that has won 3 on the bounce. I would be more than happy to that team start. I am not quite as confident as some of you. Have to be honest Chelsea on times have been frightening. But, show them no respect and have a go at them and who knows. take a point right now.
Monk likes consistency and will probably start with the same 11 but i expect he will put on Freddie at some point during the game. Bony needs to improve his accuracy in training but he will start. He will be replaced as usual by gomis sometime in the second half ....
Bony has been trying too hard. Monk should tell him to mis- hit a few and he'll probably get a hat full.
I wouldnt trust Amat against Chelsea , just my opinion .its a perfect game to bring Fernandez in for a start because were not expecting much against Chelsea and we need to get that 8 million moving .
Equally, Fernandez has yet to play a game alongside Williams. Is Chelsea away a good time to try the combination out? I don't know.
Fernandez should be a huge attribute to our team .Sooner in , sooner learnt. The Chelsea game is a perfect entry for him , a hard game that we arent expecting much from . It will pay dividends soon after, if not in the game itself .
Nothing to lose indeed. It is one game and we know on our day we can beat them at home. A win would be exceptional. Would be interested to see Fernandez play but not sure about dropping Amat given his solid play so far, but more especially because Chelsea is the type of team he is most ideally suited to play against.
Do we know how good Fernandez's english is? I would imagine Amat is a better communicator - just a broadbrush assumption. Or can Ash speak fluent Spanish?
So roof how often have you seen him play. Just because we paid 8m for him doesnt mean he is a better player than Amat (within our side and formation and the understanding with Williams). It does wrangle with me because we paid this much for him we have to play him. He needs to earn his spot like everyone else. What has Amat done wrong to be left out for that game. Fernandez will have plenty of time to show his worth. We will see him start against everton. There will still be 34 games plus cups to come.
Amat's displays have probably given Monk a problem. I did not see him being this good so soon. Fernández has to earn his opportunity as Amat has been outstanding so far. Maybe drop Ash instead Either way, we gave great depth at CB and Monk has a good dilemma in picking his CBs this season.
Amat has struggles against pace in the past. Chelsea's attack is very quick and tricky and I feel would be too much for Amat to handle. However, with FF we simply don't know what we've got for £8M yet. We know he's an international centre back and has faced the best attacks in high pressure games. What we don't know is if he's up to pace yet, or how he'll play for us. Even so, I still feel we should take a chance and start him. In truth, we are expecting nothing from this game so it is the perfect time to throw FF in and let him play. Is he a dud or a dude? Chelsea's the perfect game to find out IMO.
