BlueChampions - The Blog of the Champions of England!

Here we go again! After the monumental home league run was halted last week, we start all over again, hopefully, for a longer run this time. By the time the home league run pressure builds up it could be 2010. So Chelsea can express themselves, unleash themselves and play as they want. We’re up against Sunderland. They’re a very spirited team who always have their objectives clear. When you’re led by a personality like Roy Keane, that’s not a surprise.

They’ve spent a lot, Sunderland, for a team that got promoted and survived the relegation. They’ve got Chimbonda, Richardson, Healy, Diouf, Malbranque, Tainio and the like. They’ve got some very good players who can turn the match their way. And the man on fire, Djibril Cisse. For some reason I never liked Cisse when he was in Liverpool. Whether I like him or not, he is a clinial finisher. I can’t deny that. He’s started scoring for Sunderland now. Some of this goals this season have been quite high quality finishing.

On our side, we have this bad news that Ricardo could be out for upto three weeks. I feel sorry for him. He was just getting back to his best and also, in his company JT has been doing rather well. Alex will come in. If not Ivanovic is there. At worst case, we can even have Ferreira play as a centre back. We have multiple options in defence. It is in attack that we are lacking options. Joe Cole returned and got injured in the same match. Poor thing. I know I slated him a lot but I want him back. As soon as possible. Joe Cole has the fighting spirit, the desire and hunger. It’s just that the translation of these into execution that goes awry sometimes.

So we have Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry and Ashley in defence. The midfield is Mikel, Lampard and Deco. So far, I don’t think there is any need for a discussion or a disagreement. The front three is what is creating a divided house here. Given the options, I want Malouda, Kalou and Di Santo. I have absolutely no doubts here. You’ve heard me say enough about Anelka. I’m not going to repeat myself. I’ll say just this: I’d take a wasteful Di Santo over a wasteful Anelka any day.

Sunderland drew with Arsenal some time back at the stadium of light. The score then was 1-1. We know how Sunderland played in that match. They played just to get a point but that’s understandable. For the teams in the bottom half, their objective in the matches against top teams is just to get a point. The onus is on Chelsea to break them down and score. I’ve been crying out loud that Chelsea are finding it difficult to break down deep defending teams because of the attacking deficiencies. This match would be a very important one from that aspect. If Sunderland put men behind ball and leave just Cisse near the half way line, we should do all that’s possible to break them down. In congested final thirds, it would be difficult for midfielders like Lampard and Deco to impose themselves and score. It should be the front three – Malouda, Kalou and Anelka (Phil will start with him, no doubt) – who need to find the break through.

Deco had a bad match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Tomorrow, against Sunderland, he might get more time on the ball. Deco always needs that extra moment on the ball to be very effective. For all his footablling years in south of Europe, I should say, he has settled in very well in the premier league.

I’m not sure what to expect in this match. I can be sure that Sunderland are not going to score. Cisse wouldn’t see the ball. What matters is if we can score and how many. If the first half ends 0-0, I’ll be worried. If we have dozens of shots, if we are in that kind of mood, I’m sure we’ll open their defence sooner or later. On the other hand, if we have loads of possession, and are just building up attacks and losing in the attacking third because of poor final ball or bad final moves, I’ll be worried. When you watch Chelsea, when they want to score, it shows. You could say that the goal can come any moment. That’s how I want to see us play. My prediction would be a 2-0 with Lampard and Malouda scoring.