With Champions League all but secured for next season after a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, it’s time to turn our attention to the Europa League. In a season where Chelsea had the potential to win 8 competitions, the Champions League’s little brother offers Rafa the last chance to win a trophy.
Rafa cannot afford to underestimate Benfica, who are undoubtedly a quality side. And the Spanish Manager may need to employ our strongest squad if we are to lift the trophy. Here is my pick for our strongest side that I would chose for the Europa League final:
Goal Keeper
Petr Cech was voted the fan’s man of the match for Chelsea in their 2012 UEFA Champions League final. Cech is the best man to place between the sticks as well hope to win another European Final.
Defence
Cesar ‘Dave’ Azpilicueta has proven himself in recent matches to be one of the best right backs in the premier league. The Spaniard is excellent going forwards and solid in defence too.
Reports suggest that Terry will not be available for the Europa League final after picking up an injury against Aston Villa. This is extremely disappointing for the Chelsea Captain who was not able to play in last season’s Champions League final either.
But we have two excellent defenders in Cahill and Ivanovic who can fill in. Although we will certainly lack Terry’s leadership, our defence should not be weakened by his absence.
Despite being 32 years-of-age, Ashley Cole is still one of the best left-backs, if not defenders, in the Premier League. It really is a no brainer for Rafa to pick Cole in defence.
Holding-Midfield
If Mikel is still out with an injury, I would pick Lampard to play in the holding midfield role. The Chelsea veteran’s leadership and experience would be a massive boost for the team, especially with the absence of Terry.
As co-captain, Frankie will wear the armband for his second European Final. And a victory would make a great farewell if the English midfielder is not awarded a new contract at the end of the season.
Luiz can be unpredictable and is not as solid in the holding midfield position as some fans would like. But Luiz has proven that he can win matches almost on his own. It may be a gamble, but I believe Rafa needs to play to former Benfica defender for the dangerous edge he brings to the team.
Attacking-Midfield
After Hazard received an injury against Aston Villa, the attacking midfield trio may be one amigo short. I expect Moses will start alongside Oscar and Mata. The former-Wigan star has been excellent for Chelsea since arriving in August. Moses is capable of playing in a variety of positions, but with the injury to Hazard he would be expected to start on the wing.
El Matador has been Chelsea’s best player for a second consecutive season, and if we hope to get the match off to a great start the diminutive Spaniard must start. 21 year-old Oscar has proven to be an impressive talent in his first season at Stamford Bridge. Oscar may be employed as an impact sub, but I believe he should start.
Striker
Torres is our inform striker for the Europa League. The Spaniard will have plenty of confidence if he knows that Rafa has chosen him over Moses and Ba to start as striker for the final. And his 5 goals in 8 Europa League matches will be a further boost to his confidence.
What do you think? How would you deal with the gaps created by our injured players? Do you think we should consider changing formation? Share your comments below.
24 thoughts on “Our Strongest XI for Europa League Final”
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John Terry is a great player,but I dont think Chelsea will miss him all that.
Secondly,I think we need both Luiz, Lampard and Ramires,just as Rafa always make his sellection in Europa League. Mata can come in later.
Mata is becoming very weak these Days… we really need to start the Game POWERFULLY. Well,its either Mata on the Bench and Lampard on the Pitch or Lampard on the on pitch,while Mata on bench.
The only person we will miss is Hazard.
Torres is Back.
Blues for Life.
Thats true about Terry, he hasn’t played an awful lot this season and we haven’t suffered too much without him. I think it will mainly be his leadership we will miss. And that is why Lampard should start.
Ramires is a good player, but had an awful match against Aston Villa, so not too sure about him starting. Don’t underestimate Mata stepping up for the big match, but he could be used an impact substitute from the bench if we find ourselves down or needing a goal.
Just like to point out that Ba is ineligible to play in the Europa league at any rate because he had previously played in the tournament for Newcastle. That is why torres has started every EL game. And thats why he must start up front. Also I do agree with the starting XI as shone above although perhaps oscar and moses will be on the opposite flanks to that shown but they will probably interchange throughout the game! Come on Chelsea!!!
Oh yeah, I forgot about that rule. Good spotting
Almost spot-on. It’ll be Ramirez instead of Frankie, and he’ll bring Frank on later
where is ramirez?? OUR machine?? no way he should start, remember Pablo Aimar will be there n ramirez is only man to mark him remember last season 2nd leg at the Bridge Aimar was great, i just fear him
i would pick Ramires over moses all day long!!!
Ramires in for moses..
The others its ok but if hazard is fine and mikel then lampard, iva & moses will be on the bench for ramires hazard and mikel
Ramires in for moses
he can take the wing as he did against barcelona
Ramires needs to start on the right and oscar on the left whilst moses on the bench…..the only weakness we have going to this game is our subs are below par compared to SL Benfica..!!
But keep the faith blues cause we need to win it so we can play the UEFA Super Cup….that should be enough motivation..!!
Ramires for Mosses or lampard, Lampard should come on after the work is done
I hope Hazard will be fit to start instead of Moses
I think Ramires is a quality player, but am unsure of him after his rash tackles earned him two yellows the other day against Aston Villa. What do you guys think about that?
I personally think Bentiez Will go 4-3-3
Cech
Dave–Ivanovic–Cahill–Cole
luiz
Ramires—-Lampard
Mata ———— Oscar
Torres
I think Benitez will go 4-3-3 as the way Benfica will set up is to nulify Mata. I think the Line-up will be:
Cech
Azpili-Cahill-Ivanovic-Cole
Luiz
Ramires-Lampard
Oscar-Mata
Torres
I can see this being the line up as Mata and Oscar are starting to link up magnificently again as Oscar has just gone through a dry patch but he is making up for it. Ramires will play to man mark Aimar as I think Ramires is the only person able to do it and keep up with him and the rest of the game. Lampard will be playing due to his Leadership Qualities as Terry is not going to be playing as much as we hope he will, he’s not. Hazard won’t play either and I can’t see either of them playing again for the season. Hazard was bought back to soon. On our Bench we will have: Turnbull, Ake, Bertrand, Romeu, Mikel (if fit if not Benayoun) Marin and Moses. which is a strong bench if you look at their qualities. Marin and Moses come on as impact subs then either Romeu/Mikel/Ake/Bertrand to come on and shore up the defence if we are winning.
Cech
Azpilicueta Ivanovic Luiz Cole
Ramires Lampard
Moses Mata Oscar
Torres
Ramires shld start if Harsad s nt playing, instead of using moses
any body played anywhere is ok, we have good players in our club, but in this game i will love at the defence luiz for cahill, midfield ramirez and mikel and hazard for moses or oscar.
that is
Cech
Azplicueta – Ivanovic – Luiz – Cole
Ramirez – Mikel
Hazard/Oscar – Mata – Hazard/Moses
Torres
maybe we can give an opportunity to Marin. Because he still be “Benchwarmer”
i saw he’s skills at youtube last weeks ago. he’s skills Looks likes messi :v
Cezh
Dave, Ivanovich, Luiz, A.Cole
Lampard, Ramires
Oscar, Mata, Hazard/Moses
Torres
Chelsea 4 live
No Hazard, i really feel disgusted, the opponent’s backs may look threatening cause i don’t see Moses holding them back in their side though he can play much with others.
At least Ramires on the wing, he is truly an athlete who can harm those backs and even their central defenders.
So u left out Ramires,Mikel nd Hazard in our first eleven??? And pls Luiz is more better in defence than playing in the midfild
Hazard injured and so is Mikel. Mikel could start but possibly not and Hazard has just pulled his hamstring so highly unlikely he is going to play