After confirming their place in the quarter finals of the League Cup after an emphatic and proud performance against Manchester United, Chelsea face Swansea who cannot be taken lightly.
This is their natural movement and how I expect them to lineup –
Now as it is quite well known, Swansea are a team that rely on possession Quick short-passing, high tempo and good use of cutting in wingers.
Their strongest area is in the center of the park, the midfield. They control the game and dictate it. Leon Britton is a Pirlo type player, very effective in controlling the game with his reading and passing.
Ki on the other hand relies on decisive and pin-point long balls which allows Swansea to change the tempo at will. A player Chelsea could have done with. Ki also has the characteristics of Ramires and Yaya Toure in the middle.
Guzman is their attacking midfielder and the main supplier for Michu upfront. He is equally adept at drifting towards the wings. Imagine an Oscar with less permission to drift. Moreover Michu can also play in the No.10 role, which allows him to come deep. By coming in deep he helps the midfield out in passing around the ball with a greater reason to push forward and create an attacking chance.
Di Matteo has to ensure that the Swansea midfielders don’t have much time on the ball. Chelsea players will have to press like they pressed against Nordsjaelland and we cripple 1/3rd of Swansea’s attack.
They also play a high line with Chico always willing to join in midfield. I expect Torres to exploit this place well if he plays.
The wings are their weakest areas, with none of the wingers comfortable with defensive duties. The wingers use their pace to out trick the fullbacks and cut inside as well as cross. For Chelsea though, they should look to exploit the right side as Ivanovic who loves to get forward can have a good time, IF Di Matteo has plugged all the holes.
Manchester United were able to score for mostly two reasons. Counter-attacks by exploiting the area Chelsea left while attacking and defensive mistakes.
Chelsea just cannot leave area behind for Swansea as their midfielders will just annihilate us with their technical abilities. This means that MAZACAR or whoever is to start at the 3 behind the striker roles, will need to take up intense defensive duties.
For Chelsea on the other hand, I would like to see this kind of lineup –
I don’t expect Mata to play after featuring for 90 minutes and then 120 against United. Moses after a brilliant outing last time, looks like he will make it to the squad. Moreover I don’t think Hazard will be rested and Marko Marin will start. Probability but Roberto is not one to take risks , especially if it comes to injury prone players.
In the Torres and Sturridge role, expect Torres to start but do not be surprised if Sturridge makes it. Sturridge had a mixed performance in the Capital One Cup and he could make it to the squad again.
Moses can provide us good cover as he is willing to defend. Even Hazard has showed signs of coming back and helping.
Ashley Cole is 75 % fit and Bertrand should start ahead of him. Luiz and Lampard are out, and Ivanovic will probably come into CB with Azpilicueta on the right.
Mikel and Ramires will be important and they should start.
Come on Chelsea !
Sherry Philips ( @bluebloodSherry ), Deputy Editor
i like sturridge simple because he gets chances….and he also creates them waayyy more than torress i love torress but i think sturridge is much more capable of creating and getting into scoring areas….although for big games torres should start becuase sturridge is still a bit tooo quick to go alone ….so in summary i think games like these should be handed to sturridge
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i like sturridge simple because he gets chances….and he also creates them waayyy more than torress i love torress but i think sturridge is much more capable of creating and getting into scoring areas….although for big games torres should start becuase sturridge is still a bit tooo quick to go alone ….so in summary i think games like these should be handed to sturridge
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I’m so glad that the inentert allows free info like this!
You have said it all. One Love Sturridge, wish you 3 goals. FB name; Onyeoma Chibyk
You have said it all. One Love Sturridge, wish you 3 goals. FB name; Onyeoma Chibyk
We may criticise Sturidge but if he starts for the second time, plays a little bit better and scores, then we really have to look into it. I just want Di Mateo to improve on his rotation policy. Some players are not really above 80 percent in match fitness and condition e.g Marin, Romeu, Sturidge, Turnbull, Betrand, Moses, Azpilicueta and Paizon. This is not good for the squad.
We may criticise Sturidge but if he starts for the second time, plays a little bit better and scores, then we really have to look into it. I just want Di Mateo to improve on his rotation policy. Some players are not really above 80 percent in match fitness and condition e.g Marin, Romeu, Sturidge, Turnbull, Betrand, Moses, Azpilicueta and Paizon. This is not good for the squad.
This is nice, Chelsea should dominate as usual.
This is nice, Chelsea should dominate as usual.
I think it will be good for Di Matteo to rest Mata,Torres,A. Cole and give players like Sturridge, Moses, etc,the chance to prove themselves. But he should be careful while doing that cos today's 3-point matters alot for Chelsea. Although,no matter what happens Chelsea will beat Swansea in JESUS NAME,AMEN.
I think it will be good for Di Matteo to rest Mata,Torres,A. Cole and give players like Sturridge, Moses, etc,the chance to prove themselves. But he should be careful while doing that cos today's 3-point matters alot for Chelsea. Although,no matter what happens Chelsea will beat Swansea in JESUS NAME,AMEN.
Blue is the colour! Comon chelsea!
Blue is the colour! Comon chelsea!
I lik as Di mantio make the squar cos chelsea need to win this march 3 point is good for chelsea Di mantio u are good coshe in england best 4u today.
I lik as Di mantio make the squar cos chelsea need to win this march 3 point is good for chelsea Di mantio u are good coshe in england best 4u today.