[HowYouDoin]

Really hard to disagree. Frustrating to see this team and the 4231.

I do agree the inclusion of James and Mata, arguably leaving Tuanzebe on the bench too is stupid but I dont think it will be 4-2-3-1.
Think you will see both James and Mata more centrally. It will be 4-2-2-2 that we played in the 2nd half in Paris and then Pogba and Greenwood will come on to replace James and Mata.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[FootyGirl88]

 

[K_Ash]

for Ole, the team that went last week deserve to go again as per Giggs.
It is baffling. Thankfully with McFred are out there, that's the only thing that can give some comfort.
The pressure is on DJ and OGS again. Whichever way you look at you cannot justify DJ' selection. Yes over 8 months ago, he was on the pitch vs ManCity, Chelsea. But this was 8 months ago!

 

[Chicharo]

Believe.
If Ole chose this lineup and won the game, that is pretty much it

 

[K_Ash]

Thank you Patrice!

 

[Walrus]

Not a lot of pace in the Chelsea defense. Hopefully Rashford and James can punish that with some decent balls from Bruno and Mata.

 

[Judas]

Evra wouldn't be whinging if Pogba was starting.

 

[Ali Dia]

James didn’t deserve to start based on his recent form. Our bench is starting to look really strong...

 

[Still ill]

Would have gone with the 5 myself but I suppose it's an admission that you're vulnerable at the back. That's our best midfield 3 at the moment, hard to argue with it. Mata in on merit. James the only really contentious one. He was better against Newcastle but you feel, looking at that bench, he's got to produce today or he's moving down the pecking order. Pressure on our defence. Will be interesting to see how they cope. Come on.

 

[Andycoleno9]

As opposed to James' useless pace.

Good old obsession with pace, eh? I would always go with technique over pace. Always. Mata is for example slowest player in the world but his every touch counts.
We have so many creative midfielders and imo, our midfield is world class. I would love to see them all together on the pitch in one old but good 451 formation. Keep the ball and spin it around.

 

[bosnian_red]

I agree with Greenwood but the other 2 have not proven themselves at all. I do not think we want to be so defensive and play a 3-5-2, I think we want more balance. The back 4 are a worry but the rest are fine.

352 isn't defensive. Its balanced, especially how we used against PSG. Pogba, van de beek, Telles.... it isn't about proving yourself. We all know what James and Mata aren't. They basically aren't any use in these games. Wouldn't surprise me if we sub both of them at half.

 

[K_Ash]

Evra wouldn't be whinging if Pogba was starting.

because he watched the last couple of games. Paul's entrance changing the game!

 

[Organic Potatoes]

You kind of need Mata in there, as without Pogba or Beek the whole of the creative impetus would fall only on Bruno’s shoulders.

 

[Gambit]

James to be MOTM.

 

[red_de_pologne]

You kind of need Mata in there, as without Pogba or Beek the whole of the creative impetus would fall only on Bruno’s shoulders.

Or you could have Pogba or Beek there

 

[Josh 76]

James didn’t deserve to start based on his recent form. Our bench is starting to look really strong...

It looks stronger than the 11 on the pitch.

 

[TommiHelm]

Really don't think 4231 is a good choice in this one. Expecting the worst, but I kinda always do these days so.

 

[jesperjaap]

Weird line up. Surprised Tuanzabe hasnt started considering the pace of Pulisic and Werner and his midweek performance....Mata did well in the last match but surprised to see him starting in this game and as for Dan James.
Personally would have liked to have seen VDB, Cavani and Greenwood starting in this match. VDB simple passign would hav ebeen good from deep with the Chelsea press and Chelsea have still looked weak at the back whih we should be looking to be taking advantage off.
Hope I am wrong but this starting eleven looks to be playing straight into Chelseas hadns for me and not confident at all prematch

 

[Foxbatt]

If Ole wins he will be called a genius and if he loses God help him.

 

[Ranchero]

Idiotic comment. You cannot always start with your best players. If they aren't producing you are right to drop them

 

[Feed Me]

Evra wouldn't be whinging if Pogba was starting.

Spot on. Evra is an agenda driven prat.

 

[Reditus]

because he watched the last couple of games. Paul's entrance changing the game!

Pogba has been good coming off the bench, I imagine that is the plan again.

 

[theyneverlearn]

James to be MOTM.

Reece James has more chance.

 

[Lynty]

Thought James was fine against Newcastle. But he's primarily on to add pressure to a shaky defence and capatalise on mistakes

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

The league cup lineup. No dressing it up today, if we don't win questions need to be asked. Daniel James shouldn't be on the bench, never mind starting one of the biggest games of the season. The bench options are ridiculous we have, on Ole this. I've been behind him and want him to do well but that lineup is shocking.

It was the team that got our most comfortable league win this season.

Does that mean we'll get a comfortable win today? Most likely no. Football is not like that, but the team we played at the back end of last season that blew teams away lost against Palace, struggled against Brighton and got humiliated against Spurs. This 'league cup' team, as I said before, got us our most convincing win in the PL this season.

 

[Artimities]

it’s a beautiful day to whoop Chelsea’s ass!!!!! Let’s go!!!!!!!

 

[Organic Potatoes]

Or you could have Pogba or Beek there

That would be my preference...

 

[Robbie Boy]

Telles about it

 

[Ranchero]

I do agree the inclusion of James and Mata, arguably leaving Tuanzebe on the bench too is stupid but I dont think it will be 4-2-3-1.
Think you will see both James and Mata more centrally. It will be 4-2-2-2 that we played in the 2nd half in Paris and then Pogba and Greenwood will come on to replace James and Mata.

It is stupid to say it is stupid. Most professionals will tell you when you make your first start after a long lay off adrenaline gets you through the game, and you feel the effects in the next game. Most will say it was wise to rest Tuanzebe for this so soon after Paris.

 

[FireballXL5]

James to be MOTM.

Nah, I'm guessing he'll be subbed off in the 70th minute after doing nothing again.

 

[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

One Daniel James. There's only one Daniel James...

That God for that

Perhaps he will give us a performance today.

 

[kouroux]

Hes not a good player, but pace is important. I would 100 percent agree with Greenwood over James though. Honestly Pogba doesn't give much in a central position, putting him wide is only going to make him worse and provide endless excuses for him.

I'd play DVB tbh or even Telles. James is just crap

 

[Giggsy13]

I’m confident of a Mata and Bruno masterclass today.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Dan James could be the next Mark Gonzalez

 

[Camy89]

James was good against Newcastle. He plays better out wide left where he is more natural, lets see how he does today before we slate the guy eh?

 

[3KDré]

At least we have good options on the bench for once.

 

[Jagga7]

Shocking Tuanzebe isn't in the line especially with all the pace Chelsea have in their line up.

 

[Ranchero]

Pogba has been good coming off the bench, I imagine that is the plan again.

Pogba is a big name who has not been producing and blabbering about Real Madrid. It is down to him to show that he should not be left out when he comes on. Ole has a meritocracy so that it doesn't matter who you are not you are not too big to be on the bench.

 

[Chris-Red]

Idiotic comment. You cannot always start with your best players. If they aren't producing you are right to drop them

If they aren’t producing then they’re not your best players?