Nathan Ake

With Terry out, and Luiz having played so many games recently, anyone else think it would be worth giving Ake a chance on Wednesday?

From a squad point of view. Luiz has played alot of games lately, both for country and club. He has had a bit of a meh start of the season but RDM has clearly rated him as one of his most important players with all Luiz's game-time. Deserves a rest. Or deserves to be dropped. Your take

Ivanovic could well have started at CB with Cahill, but of course got the red. You could drop Romeu to CB, but that leaves us very short for the CM places with Lampard out. It's crucial we don't make the same mistake as Shakhtar and start playing our first XI in every game that is at least of mild importance, it's just not viable with the amount of games we have.

On to Ake himself. Those of you who have followed the U21s may have noticed the lack of good results recently, but Ake has been one of the best players so far this season, usually the shining light in what has been a prettty poor defence recently. He may not be the most experienced/biggest, say, like Rohan Ince, but he's already surpassed him in talent IMO.

A concern is that he is barely 6"0, but at reserve level I have never noticed him to struggle against tall players, or strong players. He's quite aggressive and has a good leap on him..remains to be seen at senior level though.

Another concern, well it could be a concern depending on who you are, is that his style of play is like a David Luiz double - the good bits mostly, but there have been occasions at U21 level when he also suffers from lapse of concentraion (I haven't noticed any recemtly, mostly when he was playing for U18s a year ago).

Definately wouldn't be against him having a chance, rate him highly and if he does well could easily provide another option in Terry's absence..