[7even]

Good mix of skills, physicality and aggression. We've not seen enough application from him but obviously the coaches see him in training and trust he can grow into the first team.

Judging him from pre season and he shouldn’t been anywhere near a starting line up. His performance against AC Milan tells us everything we needs to know.

Often over aggressive and lack timing when he press. Average pace and acceleration. His positional awareness isn’t good enough at this level. He’s a player who take chances and have a good shot from distance and that’s his positive attributes.

I predict one early yellow then slowly fading out of the game until he gets substituted around 60 minutes.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Just realised; no Fred on the bench. Bloody hell, why we didn't sell him or loan him then?

He might feel he is behind in his fitness, which is his own fault for swanning off to get married again.

 

[Pyro19]

11/11 nice

How do I make a lineup prediction?

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

For the first time in a very long time, I can say that I’m very happy our defence. Looks solid.

 

[Lemansky]

That 5 years contract to Jones was another excellent move by Ole.

Obviously a club decision.

He extended two months before Ole got the permanent job.

 

[Stadjer]

That’s a really strong 11, if you switched Lingard and Perreira for two proper players for their position.

Shows that recruitment is going the right direction in my opinion.

Yes. Lets jut hope the defense is fine now and the rest of the team will be improved upon now the 'backline foundation' has been build.

 

[izec]

Chelsea look average on paper to be honest. Dont know their pre season form, but we have a great chance of winning at home if we actually show up

 

[Murder on Zidanes Floor]

For the first time in a very long time, I can say that I’m very happy our defence. Looks solid.

Cue us being an utter shower.

 

[Murder on Zidanes Floor]

No Gomes?! Frustrating.

 

[BluesJr]

They're on the bench man! Ole keeping some experience around if need to slow down the game in the last 20-30 mins.

Gomes isn’t on the bench.

 

[Woodzy]

Defense aside, but would I be right in saying that this is not far off the midfield and attack that lost to Cardiff on the last day of the season? There was a clear indication of Ole's vision of the team that day and looks like it's carried through. No huge objections if we deliver.

 

[Judas]

That 5 years contract to Jones was another excellent move by Ole.

Predictably idiotic. Still can't explain the logic behind it.

 

[roseguy64]

Why is Lingard wearing Vans pre match so damn annoying to me than it should be? Surely time and place for footwear like that pre match.

I think I subconsciously judge him these days haha.

You have a problem. Ridiculous

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Chelsea:

• Arrizabalaga
• Azpilicueta
• Christensen
• Zouma
• Emerson
• Jorginho
• Kovacic
• Pedro
• Barkley
• Mount
• Abraham

subs

• Alonso
• Kanté
• Caballero
• Kenedy
• Giroud
• Pulisic
• Tomori

Blimey, that is an poor 11. I wasn't sure what to expect going in to this game, but I'd be hugely disappointed if we lose now.

 

[fps]

New players everywhere with points to prove, this should be fun.

Fred not even on the bench, interesting. Mr Unreliable.

 

[Stadjer]

I will be pissed if Pereira isn't taking the set-pieces today.

Rashy to blast a freekick out of the stadium

 

[luke511]

Pretty annoyed Gomes is nowhere to be seen whilst Mata's on the bench, he's 5x the player.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

God help us. Souness and `Jose as the in studio pundits

 

[duffer]

Can't remember the last time you lot were so confident when playing us.

 

[fps]

Pereira has a big opportunity today by the way. To my mind he's bang average, and I'm sure many others feel the same. I'll be surprised but delighted if he rams that verdict down my throat today.

 

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Cue us being an utter shower.

That would be a genuine surprise. Not lacking in quality that is for sure

 

[DRM]

Perreria ffs such a limited player

 

[Dante]

I can see Barkley scoring. If I were Lampard, I'd be telling him to bomb past McTominay and Pogba all match.

Our midfield has its strengths, but defensive solidity is not one of them.

 

[Bastian]

I will be pissed if Pereira isn't taking the set-pieces today.

I will be pissed if he picks up a needless yellow card in the first 20 minutes.

 

[roseguy64]

Tuanzebe given the nod ahead of Jones and Smalling on the bench.

Not a surprise considering the number of preseason minutes.

 

[Random Task]

I like the idea of Greenwood and James serving as impact subs this afternoon. Chelsea lack pace at the back as it is, thrown in 70 minutes of football and they'll be ripe for the taking.

Ole has thought this one through.

 

[Bastian]

Blimey, that is an poor 11. I wasn't sure what to expect going in to this game, but I'd be hugely disappointed if we lose now.

Losing would be a total disaster. A draw would be disappointing.

 

[roseguy64]

10/11... had James instead of Pereira.

Lingard at #10 or on the right? Pereira is bloody useless on the wing.

How did they do it when on the pitch together in preseason?

Same. 10/11

 

[Jonno]

Predictably idiotic. Still can't explain the logic behind it.

Club decision whilst Ole was temporary manager. He now has a sell on value whereas without the new contract we’d have got nothing.

 

[antohan]

We should win this. Come on boys!

 

[roseguy64]

Mata and Lingard over Gomes is a joke. They offer us literally nothing he couldn’t do.

That's wrong

 

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Perreria ffs such a limited player

Its Andreas. Not Joel.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Obviously a club decision.

He extended two months before Ole got the permanent job.

Yeah, you believe in that

 

[RedDevil-85]

Good line up.
fecking great to see Matic benched along with Mata.
Just wished Gomez was included but happy enough with this.
Hope Greenwood gets 30min
2-1 win is my prediction.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Fred not even on the bench!?

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Hmm. Pereira is just not good enough for me but it's better to have anyone but Matic in the starting 11.

Axel ahead of Smalling and Jones is encouraging.

Hopefully James and Greenwood get minutes too

 

[Berbasbullet]

Yes. Lets jut hope the defense is fine now and the rest of the team will be improved upon now the 'backline foundation' has been build.

100% if we signed a proper right winger next summer and maybe a number 10 depending on Gomes’ development, that’s a good team on paper (we shall see in terms of reality though!).

 

[Judas]

Club decision whilst Ole was temporary manager. He now has a sell on value whereas without the new contract we’d have got nothing.

No ones paying big money for him though or matching his current wages, the contract just keeps him at the club for longer.

 

[Red Pavan]

Blimey, that is an poor 11. I wasn't sure what to expect going in to this game, but I'd be hugely disappointed if we lose now.

I think the Chelsea players and fans alike would be thinking the same about our front 5. MCT, Lingard, Pereira, Martial and Rashford are hardly world beaters.

 

[roseguy64]

How are people surprised at that team?

Lingard starting and Matic dropped was obvious from pre-season.

Pereira instead of James is the only thing that should raise eyebrows.

People let bias cloud their judgment too much. What they want to happen supersedes the most likely events to happen.