Not sunk in for me yet, we can create history by becoming the first team to hold both trophies. This is a competition I want to win badly, nothing will top Munich but we shouldn't dwell on our past like so many others have. The future is Hazard, Oscar and Mata and building this team around them. We've seen the likes of Luiz, Mata, Ramires come on leaps and bounds (mentally) and take on the kind of traits and spirit we've come to expect at Chelsea. The never say die attitude and willingness to get stronger as the season progresses. Here's my team for the final: please log in to view this image Harsh on Moses but there's simply no way he deserves to be in the XI given form and ability. After Mikel's comments about the Europa League I'm also not sure how he can start. Lampard is the only option in that midfield, that could leave us exposed on the break which is my only worry. Romeu could be another option in that midfield instead. If it's to be Frank's last final with us, I'd like him start. Also feel that Ramires and Ivanovic deserve to start especially as they had the heartbreak of missing out on the CL final for two nonsense bookings and I prefer them to Benayoun/Cahill
I blame him directly for Adebayor's goal, and I blame him for Benteke's goal. While I wouldn't call him awful, he's certainly not up to the standard of a first choice CB in a team that has pretensions to the EPL and CL titles. A decent enough squaddie maybe, but with age starting to catch up with Terry, and still not 100% convinced about Ivanovic at CB (although he's much better than Cahill), we do need to sign a high quality CB over the summer. Maybe Jose can bring Varane with him
Besides which Mikel is has a tendency to loose concentration at key moments in big games be a real liability. If he hadn't had given away a goal for Juve's equaliser, we would have qualified for the next round in the Champs League and might well have still been in it, who knows. If he hadn't had been guilty of not closing Toure down against City, they might never have got their opening goal against us.
Id hope our players are serious about this no trophy this season is unacceptable when you consider the money spent on players we dont have to worry about top 4 thats done focus our efforts on getting some silverware.
This season there have been far too may individual errors that have led to goals being conceded. Collectively we have improved but individually certain players have declined. The formation is a lot to do with it though, I don't think it's possible for us to finish any higher playing 4-2-3-1 with this group of players.
This season there have been far too may individual errors that have led to goals being conceded. Collectively we have improved but individually certain players have declined. The formation is a lot to do with it though, I don't think it's possible for us to finish any higher playing 4-2-3-1 with this group of players.
If we win the EL we will be the first (and only) English team to have won every European Trophy to have existed: Cup Winners Cup Champions League/European Cup Europa League/UEFA Cup/Fairs Cup European Super Cup Liverpool never won the CWC (and now never will) Arsenal have never won the Champions League Man Utd have never won the Europa
even if hazard is declared fit i think that his hamstring is currently suspect, i would hate to see him pull up after 20 mins and hope that he is kept on the bench as an impact sub
Cech Azpilicueta - Ivanovic - Cahill - Cole Luiz - Lampard Ramires - Mata - Oscar Torres Bench: GK, Hazard, Moses, Mikel, Romeu, Bertrand, Ake Hazard to be uses as impact and I think with this we have out best central partnership and Ramires can be used to great effect defensively and offensively. Moses against Spurs and Villa was woeful
Apparently it was just a knock. No way would he be able to play if anything happened to his hamstring.
Can't wait for this... People who insult the Europa League now (like I did last season) don't appreciate what it can bring when you're in it! A final in Amsterdam and the chance to make some serious history... Love it... Plus we have tickets and I'm flying out on Wednesday to get to the game! Can't wait!
Ramires and Lampard were and have been hopeless all year together, as neither controls midfield. Take out Ramires, put Luiz beside Frank, Bingo, different ballgame as we saw against Villa.
Big loss. Fortunately the mushies and purple haze will take the edge off any loss. Everton game more important in a way.
