With arguably our 2 most important players out in Kanté and Morata we limp into the Crystal Palace game needing maximum points after losing to City 12 days ago... One positive is David Luiz returns from suspension but were will be be deployed with Christensen putting in mature performances alongside the ever present Gary Cahill and Azpi.. Here's my XI...
Courtois... Obviously
Moses... Back to what we know... Moses will put in a good shift.
Azpi... He's arguably our best RB, CB and LB but putting him in the WB positions doesn't fully utilize his defensive abilities imo, RCB this weekend.
Christensen... Our man of the match against City, the game could've ended up 3 or 4 had he not been on his game.
Rüdiger... He had a poor game against City but so did 8 others.. Back to LCB where he's put in his best performances.
Alonso... Another no brainer.
Bakayoko... With Kanté out we will need his power in midfield, would've started alongside Kanté regardless.
Fabregas... Whilst I don't want him starting in the bigger games as he's a passenger this is exactly the type of game he dictates, No brainer.
David Luiz... Yep, in midfield! Some of his best performances away from home have come from midfield (Spurs away, City away that Monday night) with Kanté missing he will plug the gaps in midfield.
Hazard... No brainer for me... Has to start but closer to the striker.
Batshuayi... Its time for Conte to put his trust in him, Not replacing Morata against City 3 days after getting the winner in Madrid must've been a kick in the teeth, Hoping he gets 60-70mins and if it needs changed then so be it.
formation: 352... Had Kanté been fit I would've went 343 with a front 3 of Willian, Pedro and Hazard.
Team against Palace..
posted on 12/10/17
352 is a waste of time against Palace.
352 should only be reserved for bigger matches.
posted on 12/10/17
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
comment by DrogbaLegend11 (U21614)
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
Given it's only Palace who are playing at their lowest ebb (with multiple unavailability to key players) and with Roma in mind three days later, yes I would prefer Kenedy to start this one and Alonso Roma.
Position needs rotation, Alonso shouldnt be playing full match against Palace and Roma.
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I would rather play Zappa and Moses.
Kenedy is rubbish and shouldn't play anything bar domestic cup games.
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Then you're in a situation where Zap or Moses start twice in three days, not ideal.
Every wing-back gets rotated If Moses and Kenedy play against Palace, Zap and Alonso Roma.
Fine with Kenedy starting this one against the weakest team in the league, bearing in mind combined with a strong side.
If team consisted completely of fringe players against Palace, then that would be a problem.
What is the point of having him as LWB backup, if you're not going to use him in demanding schedule against weakest side?
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In addition to that we're going to lose a lot of balance offensively without a left-footer on left side.
posted on 12/10/17
With regards to Christensen...played RCB alongside Luiz (Rudiger left) against Burnley, when Cahill got
Recently revealed that he has been training in wide CB positions, I've never been one to claim that Christensen can't play across the back line.
posted on 12/10/17
Rather see Alonso start in both PL games and rested in midweek. PL games are more important. Anyway I expect Conte to play him in all 3 games.
posted on 12/10/17
We should play Gary Cahill in CB position for 2 out of 3 matches which are coming next.
posted on 12/10/17
They are equally as important but when you've got a chance to field slightly weakened side in PL should be taken.
Win against Roma at home and we're one foot through to knockout rounds, which will then mean later on in group stage can lineup with second string side.
posted on 12/10/17
This is a depleted Palace side with 0 points and 0 goals. Absolutely no reason team I selected shouldn't batter them.
posted on 12/10/17
I agree with Chelseamf.
posted on 12/10/17
Rotation, rotation and rotation
posted on 12/10/17
I don't want to see us taking any risks against Palace. Start your best team. Alonso will start for sure anyway as he didn't have international football.
I think he'll start all 3 games and then get a rest against Everton. I'm sure he did this last season at some point.