With Chelsea set to play a midweek fixture in the premier league against West Brom in less than 24 hours, we look into the squad available for this game and also the conditions of the opponent to predict the best starting 11 to get three points at the Hawthorns. Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Fernando Torres will be available for tomorrow’s game after deciding not to risk him in the weekend’s match against Newcastle which the side missing the Spaniard eased into 3-0 win and topped the league for first time since August.
Now, we play a West brom team that lies 18th in the premier league struggling since the turn of the year after making a manager change. Everyone probably remembers how much trouble they caused at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture as they came close to ending Jose’s undefeated record at Stamford Bridge if not for Eden Hazard’s late, controversial penalty.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
The formation of 4-2-3-1 will surely continue against West Brom as Mourinho will send out his team to score many goals and wrap up the victory rather than wait for the counter attack. The attacking trio behind the striker will as always be important for the outcome of this game as well as the defensive line to prevent dangerous counterattacks from the home side.
Starting 11:
GK: Petr Cech:
The quality and the form of the opposition would have allowed Mourinho to give chance to Schwarzer but, it’s a crucial premier league game not to surrender our lead in the premier league table as Manchester City are at home against Sunderland waiting to pounce. Cech will be a safe option as he has just allowed 1 goal during this calender year so far in 2014.
Back 4: Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole
It would be good to give Cesar Azpilicueta a rest for this game with the amount of work he puts in week in and week out with Ashley Cole stepping up to fill in for the left back spot. In the heart of defense, we have Luiz and Cahill since Terry hasn’t recovered from the knock he suffered in training ahead of Newcastle match. Looks a pretty solid back line to earn another clean sheet away which will prove to be crucial in the title race.
Pivot: Mikel and Matic
John Obi Mikel will surely return into the starting 11 as he will be crucial to break up the oppositions counter attacks and turn in it over to our attacking players. Matic is set to continue after an excellent 90 mins performances against Manchester City and Newcastle. Jose Mourinho has surely found his piece of jigsaw in midfield to give the team a stability and balance from the pivot.
Attacking trio: Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle
Hazard should almost play in every games like this that are crucial as he is in a great run of form. Oscar will also continue likely since he didn’t start against Manchester City last week and only at Newcastle did he get a 90 mins in a weeks time. On the right flank, we can have the fresh pace and energy of Andre Schurrle to provide crosses and width that would benefit Torres up front.
Striker: Fernando Torres
The Spaniard has fully recovered from the knee injury that ruled him out for almost a month since the Manchester United game in January. Torres is now ready to feature in the starting 11 after Mourinho said he decided not to risk his striker against Newcastle on the weekend. It will give the team another player with full energy who hasn’t played in a month. Torres will be influential in his attacks and link up plays even if he doesn’t score in this game.
So, this is my best possible starting line-up for the West brom game and leave me with your opinions below on what you think. Follow on twitter (@FahmiCFC) and KTBFFH!
If we’re going back to 4-2-3-1, then there’s a huge chance Mou will start his favored attacking trio of Hazard, Oscar, and Willian. I’d like to see some squad rotation with Schuerrle starting, probably Salah as well, but I don’t see it happening.
This isn’t time for making every player happy. I mean Mou knows that every single game is a must win. We have a chance to win this title and always the best XI is strongly needed. So I think Mou will start with our best trio in Hazard Oscar and Willian. It will be nice to start with Eto’o but then I will like to see what Torres has to offer. Go blues Go Chelsea
If we dd it again and again wth west brom. We must stay at the top of BPL wth 4 point behind arsenal 5 point behind man city, arsernal are home waiting for man utd and man cty also at home wth sundland
@emilo 10 where have you been?you have not been commenting for a while.now isn’t the right time to gamble,jose should field the strongest 11 available because we need to consolidate our position at the top of epl inother to hip pressure on the chasing pack.i predict 2-0 in favour of cfc.
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i think salad will start
salah*
I disagree. U think ramires won’t start dis match? It will be either matic-ramires or mikel-ramires. I agree with d rest of d selection though
It’s a fantastic line up to start with, except cole.
Frndz mikel shud be sidelined if we want the league. We are not safe wen he plays, the presure com on us all the tym we look solid playin matic nd any other option.
@Tedd, mikel is going to play thanks
In z DM either Mikeal – Rami or Rami-Matic; Eto should start and substitute Torres. Torres has to start against Man City. Good result to blue.
@ fahmi ur selection is wat i expectd from jose but i expectd oscar 2 be droppd.pleas help me ask jose d impact he expects player 2 mak wen they brought in very late.we drew dis match b\cos of jose.