Some sweet records to start with. Jose’s Chelsea has played Fergie’s Man Utd 9 times so far. Jose has won 5 times and drawn 3 times which leaves just 1 win for Fergie. Even better, in all these 9 matches, Chelsea scored 11 goals in all and Man Utd scored only 3 goals, which includes Fletcher’s misplaced header. Not bad for a team that plays ‘boring defensive football’ against a team that supposedly plays ‘beautiful football’!

In this backdrop, Chelsea face Man Utd for the FA Community Shield on Sunday at 15:00 UK. The match would be played at Wembley where Chelsea had won the FA Cup knocking off Man Utd. If it’s strange to see a trophy presented for winning one game, it’s even more strange to find the players of the winning team, celebrate like they were working hard for months, only to win this trophy.

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In team news, Ballack is resting after his surgery and is still not available. Birthday boys Bridge and Kalou, will not be able to play for Chelsea on their birthday due to injuries. The official Chelsea website keeps saying that Lampard’s injury is only minor and he would play on Sunday. Robben is very much available but I doubt if he would play a part given his possible distractions which would cause a lapse of concentration. Ashley Cole is back and after his few minutes in the friendlies, he looks fit and fine to play Man Utd on Sunday.

I have no doubt in my mind that we should play orthodox 4-4-2. This may sound cocky but I’d like to see Pizarro pairing with Drogba. Sheva is available allright, but if we need to pick the team on form and other things, Pizarro should get the nod. Only thing that could get Sheva ahead of Pizarro, is that we are playing a big opposition. Personally, in whatever case, I’d pick Pizarro for Sunday.

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In the midfield, Lampard and Essien should be in the centre, while Malouda and Joe Cole should be the left and right midfielder respectively. I’ve already explained why I’d not choose Robben, but he can still be tried out for a short period of time in the second half. You’ve heard it here in bluchampions, loud and clear, that Malouda is brilliant. he has the pace, power and muscle to make an impact. Premiership should suit him very well. Playing in front of the one of the best left backs in Premiership, should be comforting Malouda.

Joe Cole should get picked ahead of SWP (well that’s anyday) for this match, Joe Cole could be the man that makes the difference. Remember how he fooled around with the Man Utd back three in 2 seconds and blasted the goal in 2005-06 title winning match. Also, he is the guy that gets us free kicks from the defenders who can stand or understand his intriguing dribbles.

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Mikel is reportedly in another discipline row with Jose. This time, it is on the pitch. Last year Jose publicly blasted Mikel for his indisciplined and even fined him for that. Then we saw a completely transformed player who in my books, was the man of the match in almost half of those matches he played. If he was ever over-shadowed it was only by Drogba and Essien, which is no shame at all. Now, having played very poorly in the last friendly he was subbed after 28 mins and Jose did not give him a warm welcome to bench. All this points to Mikel not starting on Sunday, knowing Jose, Mikel won’t even be on the bench.

In defence, it’s Terry and Carvalho in front of Cech. Ashley Cole would be the natural choice for left back. The right back role should go to Paulo instead of Glen Johnson, despite his better form because of Paulo’s richer experience of big matches. Paulo simply owned Ronaldo in the FA Cup final that he had to change his side in the second half. Well, I dont expect that every match from him. On Sunday, Ronaldo is going to be more fresher, fitter and faster.

With Cech in goal and Essien in central midfield, the fullbacks should unleash their attacking prowess. But I doubt if this would be the idea. Man Utd are very strong in the flanks and if we provide them space and time on the wings, that’d end up as anything. I don’t see Man Utd scoring from a centre attack. By all probabilities, their goal, if any, would be created on the flanks. That’s where Paulo and Ashley should have a good game to keep the red wingers at bay.

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Now that Ashley is back, I want him to provide long balls to Drogba. The Ashley-Drogba partnership has some kind of chemistry that works at a high success ratio. I’m able to visualise this: Ashley gives a long ball to Drogba, he chests and controls and volley to Malouda on his right, who lobs it back to Drogba for a thundering header!

Sheva and Robben should be in the bench and can be called upon if Joe Cole runs out of gas in the second half. Malouda looks much more stronger and seems like a player that can play 120 minutes, just like Drogba and Essien. Also we should have Mikel, Glen Johnson and Cudicini on the bench but I doubt if they can be used.

After 90 minutes, community shield matches are decided by penalties and there won’t be any extra time. Won’t quite help Chelsea as we are the physically stronger team with more endurance and with every passing quarter, we get stronger than the opponent. Anyway, I want us to settle the game in 90 minutes.

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On their side, they’ve got Tevez finally. But many reports say that none of the new signings – Tevez, Nani, Anderson, Hargreaves – are all expected to be let out for this match. That’s mean Rooney and Giggs upfront, with Ronaldo, Carrick and Fletcher in the midfield possibly joined by may be, Eagles. Their back four would be the same except Heinze, who could be replaced by Evra.

I expect to see goal(s) only in the second half. Fergie knows that Jose had Man Utd play our game in FA Cup finals. The Reds could not really play the way they wanted to. We controlled the game and we called the shots. This time, if Fergie wants them to play their game, we can be very dangerous on the break, with Malouda, Joe Cole, Drogba and Pizarro. It would be a very physically contested match.

A small recap of what happened when we met last:

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwIMH5cT9SE[/video]

cs.JPGAnyway, how much is this going to really matter to us? In the opinion poll inside a previous post, two-thirds of you had said that a win is nice, but you won’t be worried even if we lose. My feeling is that, we should win this match, in order boost our own confidence and start the season on a very strong note. On the other hand, if we lose I won’t suggest capital punishment for Jose Mourinho.

In Giorgio Armani suits, our guys might look like noble gentlemen but the reds will get no favours from us on Sunday. You know what, generally the team that wins the community shield does not go on to win the title (we won both in 2004-05). If that’s the bargain, I dont mind us losing the community shield, every year. On Sunday our squad will be better thn theirs on paper. But, if you ask me who are the favourites for this match, well the clue is, they won’t be wearing blue this Sunday. I’m falling asleep! Bye!

[tags]Chelsea, Manchester United, Man Utd, Community Shield, Charity Shield, Giorgio Armani, Malouda, Joe Cole, Pizarro, Chelsea vs Man Utd[/tags]