It does seem strange that the manager has been putting out strong teams for cup competitions and rotating the squad for league games. Surely, Chelsea must finish top 4 it they wish to continue as one of European footballs big teams.

I just find it illogical that a football club should try and win a competition that it is desperate never to be in again and that recognizes participation in such a competition as total failure.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I want to see us play Ake/Benayoun/Marin/Ferreira/Bertrand against Steaua. If we win then great, if not we move on.

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Yup this sounds about right to me and will give these players a run out.

The Europa is clearly our third priority now and should be treated as such.

Cech
Ferreira Ake Cahill Bertrand
Lampard Luiz?
Moses Benyoun Marin
Torres

This should be our team for Steua, and only Cech and Luiz should start against West Ham

Funny how some Chelsea fans would not be too displeased if Chelsea went out of the Europa League to avoid a fixture pile up whilst Arsenal and Tottenham fans would not be too upset if Chelsea went through so as to ensure they have a fixture log jam.

comment by Stuck With The Name Biggish (U7916)
posted 3 hours, 19 minutes ago
I just find it illogical that a football club should try and win a competition that it is desperate never to be in again and that recognizes participation in such a competition as total failure.

- - - - - -

The very definition of "no class"

Surely your fans and players would LOVE to rock up in Amsterdam and win the Europa.

CFC could win 2 of the 5 available trophies (6 if you count that silly episode vs S American teams)...a good season, surely!

8 trophies actually...

Premier League
FA Cup
League Cup
Community Shield
European Super Cup
Club World Championship
Champions League
Europa League

That's right we have f uped in 8 tournaments

I'd go

vs Steaua

Cech
Ferreira Ivanovic Terry Bertrand
Lampard Mikel
Moses Benayoun Marin
Torres

vs West Ham

Cech
Azpilicueta Cahill Luiz/Terry Cole
Mikel/Luiz Ramires
Mata Hazard Oscar
Ba

The very definition of "no class"

oh the irony

Only an idiot could try and connect class to making a logical argument about not participating in the Europa League.

An what a surprise that the idiot happens to be a Spurs fan!

Gazza....

Totally agree with your post!

I'd rather we concentrate on Europa, just because we have not won it and we have won the FA Cup 4x in the last 6 years. Although we may have to play a couple of extra games to win it when compared to FA Cup.

But top 4 is the main priority, we should hopefully make top 3.

I am certain the club and players feel that every time a Chelsea team go out to play, no matter who or what we give our all . Pride is at stake, and so called "business decisions" is all tosh.
I believe our owner feels the same way. Fans who join in the booing of Chelsea personnel have no business expressing opinions on behalf of team Chelsea unless they are neutral or rivals, and they dont count for much either.

The very definition of "no class" is
when u don't know what is really The very definition of "no class"

comment by Stuck With The Name Biggish (U7916)
posted 37 minutes ago
Only an idiot could try and connect class to making a logical argument about not participating in the Europa League.

An what a surprise that the idiot happens to be a Spurs fan!

- - - - - - -

Champions of Europe who spent the best part of £90m on new players in the summer discussing foregoing a QF place in the Europa for financial reasons

Sandsend

Champions of nothing trying to wum on the Chelsea board

Sorry Biggish but if we're sending out a team to lose then I want nothing to do with that.

As a fan I want to see Chelsea win every game they play and don't understand this concept of wanting to see us go out of what I would consider a fairly prestigious tournament.

If we play Woking in a kick around at Cobham I want us to go in to win it.

Personaly I'd like to see us play a strong team Thursday, try and get the tie put to bed asap and then rest a few of the key players!

Brummie, at the expense of not being in the CL next season and the serious ramifications of that?...

Not only would we not attract players, we would also have trouble keeping the likes of Mata and Hazard, and for what? a mickey mouse tournament that counts for nothing accept failure?............

Look at United and City last season and how long they lasted.............common sense has to prevail and now is the time to think about winning the league next season, not winning a cup for losers this season.

I may be old fashioned Biggish but I remember the days when it was the Inter Cities Fairs Cup and along with the ECWC; teams were desperate to be involved in those competitions.

The ECWC has gone now and IMO both the other competitions have been devalued. The CL is not what it says on the tin, it's the Champions, runners up and all comers who can sneak into the 3rd & 4th place positions. The Europa has turned into a parachute tournament for clubs such as ourselves who Fook up in the CL - again wrong as I'm concerned - fail and you should be out full stop.

Whatever the rights or wrongs about them; if we are priviliged to be in it, it doesn't compute with me to want to see my team fail!

Like I said, I might just be too old for all this - maybe I should grow old gracefully and take up Crown Green Bowling!

............its a good game

Will they allow my wheelchair on the grass!