Matches, Premier League - Written by BlueChampion on Saturday, December 8, 2007 1:12 | 966 Views | 28 Comments | Add Comment
Chelsea vs Sunderland | 08-Dec-07 @ 15:00 UK
Today’s match against Roy Keane’s team is a match up between the strongest home team and the weakest away team. In matches against bigger oppositions, Sunderland are going from bad to worse, 7-1 vs Everton being the latest insult. Chelsea, by all probabilities, should roll them over, and make good the home disappointment against Everton.
Players who may not be available are Malouda, Ferreira, Carvalho, Ballack and the suspended Essien. Also, something is brewing about Drogba. He is fit, he is unfit, he needs an operation, no he doesn’t, he’ll have it now, no he’ll have it later . . . We’ll discuss about this topic later on, separately.
Even if Drogba is available for this match, we should play Sheva, Pizarro and Kalou. C’mon, we are playing Sunderland at the Bridge. I’d prefer to see an attacking 4-3-1-2, with a defensive midfielder and two wide midfielders. This way, most of the attacks would be from the flanks not only because of the formation but also because Lampard may not have a role to play here. I’d rest Lampard and have Mikel, Joe Cole and SWP play in the midfield.
When we were playing 4-1-2-1-2 in the first half of the last season (when Sheva and Drogba were playing alongside), there were complaints about our game lacking width. With 4-3-3, we certainly see the width in the game but what we lack is variety. Teams with tactically strong managers can wear us down, when we play 4-3-3, if they know the strengths and weaknesses of SWP and Joe Cole and their possible lack of connection to the man up front. These are the circumstances where we should be able to change formations in minutes and make the difference.
This season, whenever teams have tried to take the game to us or try to play open football, we have taken them apart. It’s almost certain that Sunderland will park the proverbial bus and look for some favours from the heavens. Michael Chopra, the only premier league player of Indian origin now, plays against us today. But I’m perfectly fine if he keeps blasting the ball to row Z and even scores a few own goals.
With just few more weeks left for the transfer window, transfer news and rumours are everywhere. Cup-tied Ronaldinho to join us in January, Lulinha has agreed for a deal with Corinthians but 20 million pounds would release him, Sheva to be despatched, Villa to move over to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has offered 15 million pounds for Anelka - all rumours. If you want official transfer news from Chelsea, here is Avram talking about the need for strikers:
We will not find a replacement for Didier because Didier I think is the best striker in the world at the moment. But we want to have a striker in the squad and if we find someone, we will do it. It will not be a problem of money, it will be a problem of quality. I don’t want to take a striker who is not good for our quality. The right one is not easy to find.
We need a striker of quality. Music to the ears of Sheva, Pizarro and Kalou? If we are getting quality strikers, we should certainly show the door for Sheva or Pizarro. There is no point in having 5 strikers (after Drogba’s return) for a 4-3-3 formation which Grant seems to have stuck to.
It’s quite hard to find ourselves at No.2 this weekend as Man Utd takes on Derby at Old Trafford. In the early kick off match on Sunday, Boro host Arsenal which can be of some interest to us. If Boro manages to upset Arsenal, that would be a good life line for Chelsea ahead of the match at Emirates, which might then give the possibility of equaling Arsenal’s points tally. Wishful thinking!
28 Comments
1. Michael Mariens
2. Michael Mariens
Why can’t we be as professional as in season 1 under Jose Mouriniho?
3. Adonis
Michael Mariens, stop philosiphizing. We have a great squad. It’s not perfect, but it’s great. They are the most professional bunch of lads in the Premier league. They’ve dealt with a great blow well this season, and they’re the hottest team in the league.
And tell me, what’s unprofessional about our team?
4. Adonis
I just saw our last league match, against West Ham. I was so impressed by three players. Alex, Belleti, and SWP. Joe Cole and Drogba played well, but man of the match for me was Alex. He disrupted play extremely well and was a beast and an ever-present threat in the air. I couldn’t wait in the summer until I saw him in a blue shirt, and he’s lived up to my expectations. Belletti as well, I used to watch him with Barca, but not as closely as now. He’s filled the vast void at RB well for us and is quite good going forward. I enjoyed watching him. His laser fast defending, as well, our right half of defence, the brazillian half 
was brilliant.
SWP came on for Sidwell and his presence was immediate. With Sidwell we wouldn’t have scored. SWP immediately filled the team with energy and our counterattacking became deadly and we were able to score. It saddens me, but Sidwell just won’t cut it at Chelsea; he’s not got the class of Mikel, Essien, Makalele, or Ballack. Watching him, it’s as if he doesn’t add anything to the team, no great attacking influence or defensive presence.
I’ve not seen Sunderland play but they’re fifteenth in the table and are newly promoted. I say stick Pizarro and Sheva in there, SWP on the right, Mikel, Sidwell, and Lamps, and a healthy back four should take care of them. And the injured Drogba can have his rest.
———Cudicini————
-Belleti-Alex-Terry-Bridge-
——-Mikel—–Sidwell—–
————Lampard
SWP————————–
——-Pizarro-Sheva——–
Joe Cole gets a rest as well, and is a substitute for that second half burst of energy, a la last season’s Robben.
BC, any injury news on A. Cole, Carvalho, Cech, Ballack, Malouda, or Ferriera?
5. CFC
Adonis,, mate u over took all of us, 20 comments, hahaha i am tryin to keep up with u, slow down, lol,
from BBC, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba (knee) is a major doubt and keeper Petr Cech (calf) will not play.
Florent Malouda (knee) is a doubt, while Michael Essien is suspended with Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack still sidelined.
you are right about sidwell, i was impressed with him at reading last season, but i think hes a bit out of place at chelsea. drogba will be def missing the game, and if it was upto me i would certainly leave him out. untill arsenal game now. we are through in CL, so why take a risk. sheva and pizz upfront, with joe and kalou or swp either sides, lamp and mikel in midfield. I would love to see Mikel on the bench rather than in the starting 11. hopefully he will keep his calm if he starts and don go into some silly tackles and get himself sent off, we would be seriously in trouble then at emirates for the big game. Sunderland are in the bottom half but i wudnt take them as a rollover, esp with Jones upfront, he seems to be the mix of drogba and adebayor. they were very poor at everton, but it doesnt necessarly means they will be poor at the bridge, so i would be cautious. expect a decent game and a decent win.
Hot rumour in spanish media that ronaldhinio is on his way in janury to stamford bridge, esp drogba going for the operation and cud be missin a big part. enjoy the game everyone.
6. CFC
oh by the way, @1 whose pete lol for pete’s sake ????
7. CFC
I would like to see a 4-4-2 ,somthing like this, though i am sure, AG will go for mikel/sid and lamps in midfield if hes playing a 4-3-3
—————–Cudicini—————
—Belleti—–Alex——Terry——–Bridge—-
—-SWP——Maka/mikel–—-lamps—kalou/Jcole–
————-Pizarro——–Sheva————–
8. SH.IBRAHIMI
Tomorrow is definitely time to see both SHEVA/PIZZARRO in attack .. as for the game i think we should win it easily 3-0 or 4-0 .. also is time for Sheva to prove himself
9. Bella
Sunderland should be no match for us, they have got 2 points away from home so far this season - hardly stellar stuff.
A pretty easy win even without Drogba.
Start Sheva and lets see some more of Pizarro, Grant give the impression of trusting neither very much. Sheva we understand but Pizarro? Give the player a chance!
10. CaLiFoRNiCaTiON
pizarro is an alcoholic … he doesn’t deserve an opportunity… he got kick out from the national team.
he is not a world class player….
when he was in germany playing for bayern munich, he got his driver license suspended for 6 months… and he made the same mistake again…
and he got his driver license suspender for 2 yrs. that’s why he moved in to stanford…..
he doesn’t deserve any opportunity….
he thinks that he is a star. sorry PIzarro, but plz. change ur nationality and become a Argentinian… bloody chicken….
11. CaLiFoRNiCaTiON
Claudio PIzarro and jefferson farfan ( the blacky player from PSV holland) got kick out from the Peruvian national team
It was announced that the players would be suspended until an appropriate punishment had been established ( 6 months minimum)
According to a report released by the commission, the players took part in a party with alcohol and women after the Brazil match and just days before Ecuador routed Peru 5-1.
12. Brian W
I have to say that Avram Grant is very calculating with his words and is very careful about what he says. When he indicates that Chelsea would like to bring in a striker of quality, he is taking an indirect shot at Shevchenko, Pizzaro and Kalou, who have rarely contributed or failed to find a regular spot in the rotation.
13. Jo
chelsea should play pizarro sheva today..with kalou on the bench.i agree with Bc’s formation..
14. Nihongo Blue
i have seen sunderland play against man utd and arsenal and they nearly got a draw on both occasions.. esp at emirates 2nd half was awesome. but that time they had there best player their captain nosworthy fit and playing. without him they are nothing in defence. however they are good in attack. they wont be intimidated coming to bridge as they have keane as their manager. we should be cautious.
play kalou and sheva upfront and joe cole must play. no rest for him. he is our best player. get arsenal out of our mind and play our football. take it match by match.
15. Nihongo Blue
about drogba its all again english press against us . they wana create a picture that club is trying to be against country so that ivory coast comes into action and order drogba to have an operation even if can play till new yr with pain killers.
if drogba plays for us till new yr and misses ACN due to injury they will make a hell out of it… its nothing but may be justa press hype.
i reckon drogba will be forced to have an opearion and will be back after ACN only.. its a high time for chelsea now
16. Syed
PC
JB-JT-AR-WB
SWP-OM-FL-SK
CP-AS
2nd half Subs: SS, JC & AC on for FL, SK & WB
17. CFC
Ashley cole comes in for bridge, SWP replaces sidwell, and sheva for drogba, are the changes from last game, BBC reported that drogba might go in for an OP today in london and could be out for a month, but he can be expected for the AFC. we will be seriously short in striking department against arsenal (PL) and liverpool(CC), unless shevachenko surprises us all.
18. Blue Champion
Team announced. Chelsea to play 4-3-3:
23 Carlo Cudicini
35 Juliano Belletti
33 Alex
26 John Terry (c)
3 Ashley Cole
24 Shaun Wright-Phillips
12 John Mikel Obi
8 Frank Lampard
21 Salomon Kalou
7 Andriy Shevchenko.
10 Joe Cole
Subs: 40 Hilario, 22 Tal Ben-Haim, 17 Wayne Bridge, 9 Steve Sidwell, 14 Claudio Pizarro.
19. Blue Champion
Though the official website says 4-3-3, I believe Chelsea will play 4-4-2 with both Sheva and Kalou as CFs and Joey and SWP as side midfielders of the 4-4-2. In that case we will have Lampard and Mikel in the centre.
20. CFC
who comes with the surprise itsss andriy shevachenkoo.,
21. left_winger
disappointing . . why can’t we break them down?? forget goals, we didn’t even have decent shots . . let’s do them for christ’s sake!!!
22. Sumesh
Chelsea 1-0, guess it is no surprise. Sheva scores, with a header, off Kalou’s cross from left.
23. Blues_Godson
nice goal…but we need to kill this people off..they cant even make 3 straight passes
24. CFC
cheslea 2-0 frank lampard with the penalty and guess wat, derby county scores agianst the mighty manchester united, their first away goal.
25. MourofEssien
am happy that Sheva scored and piz had some minutes on the pitch. Can someone tell me how Pizarro fared tho?
26. rahul
i would play pizzaro insteand of sheva, even though pizzaro isnt as effective as drogba, he’s got better vision and can open up play with the likes of joe cole, swp and kalou running through
27. Adonis
Not good. That summarizes our team at the moment. We played fine, we won. But it should’ve been 5-0, it really should have. I look and Man U won 4-1 today. We just aren’t good enough with this line-up, without Drogba. Shevchenko’s sluggish, Pizarro, though I’ve liked the guy since his Bayern days, isn’t what he used to be. He just doesn’t cut it. What’s the matter with everyone? Our best healthy striker is Kalou, whom I like, but isn’t a world-class player yet. He’s a good winger, is all.
I’m very disappointed. I can’t see us winning next week with a performance like this.
The only positive is that our backline held strong but Cudicini really was not tested. I could’ve had a cleansheet today.
I’m very glad we’ve already qualified for the Champions League; let’s hope we can handle Valencia midweek.
Another positive I’ve just thought of, Essien’s not in our midfield. I think that’ll bring our level up quite a bit, cause right now we’re not good enough.
28. Adonis
Liverpool trail Reading after a 17th minute penalty for the “Royals.” That’s cheered me up.
I would love to see Chelsea become more professional.
Get a decent squad for Pete’s sake!
C’mon this is not rocket-sciene?
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