Question is fairly simple. Who would you choose to play against Bolton on Monday? Just to put the match in perspective, if we do win on Monday, that would be our first away win in about 3 months.
Few assumptions though: John Terry would be back. Frank Lampard too. Mikel is available too. Only Zhirkov, Alex and Benayoun are unavailable – so let’s take them out of the choices.
Let’s then see who are the chosen BlueChampions XI to see how it compares to Carlo’s choices.
Remember folks, if the voting doesn’t work for you within this post, go back to the home page and vote from the story that’s displayed there.
Since Bolton are going to be big and fearsome at the front, I think Ancelotti goes for his old familiars. I even voted for Mikel because he’s a big lad. But I recognize that he may not be fit enough.
I think Sturridge and McEachran may have to wait until Chelsea start playing two games a week.
Love this idea, BC!
My lineup would be as followed:
Cech
Essien-Ivanovic-Terry-Cole (w Mikel playing in Terry’s place if Terry can’t go)
Lampard-Mikel-Ramires (with Ramries playing CDM if Terry’s out and Malouda playing in Ramires spot)
Sturridge-Drogba-McEachran
This is a weird lineup I know but here’s why I chose it. 1. Bosingwa was awful with his crosses from the right side against Blackburn. He really killed 4-5 good scoring chances because his crosses were dreadful. If it’s an injury thing he shouldn’t be starting right now. If it’s a talent issue, go buy Santon. Essien is better as a player as a MF but this team needs help from the RWB spot. Ivanovic has been on fire, keep him in. Mikel is the best backup option if Terry is out.
I think the MF starting 3 makes sense. Malouda is my backup MF not LW because he’s not running enough to play LW right now.
Anelka has done nothing and Drogba needs some help up front. Sturridge has been on FIRE recently and Kalou hasn’t done enough to warrant starting over Sturridge. I know McEachran is a MF but what is his best strength? His passing! Cole isn’t a great crosser and if Cole, Drogba and Sturridge are playing in the box area Chelsea can use some good crosses from both sides. That’s why Essien at RWB and McEachran at LW are critical. If Chelsea had a decent backup LWB I’d actually consider moving Cole up to LW because Malouda has sucked during this bad stretch.
Alex is out too, should add him to the list of the unavailable.
Cech
Bosingwa Ivanovic Terry Cole
McEachran
Essien Lampard Malouda
Anelka Sturridge
The first few ones were no brainers, but i’m a little surprised as to why people didn’t choose Obi Mikel? Maybe Essien is in bad form like the time with Grant.
Anyway, just wanted to say that I always check this blog, almost religiously with fb and my mail, so I wanted to thank you guys ( BC and WXWAX) for doing such a good job at keeping us updated as always!
Cech
Ivanovic, J.Terry
Bosingwa A.Cole
M. Essien
J. McEachran F. Lampard
N. Anelka D. Drogba F. Malouda
Subs. Hilario, Bruma, Ferreira, J. Mikel, Ramires, Kalou, D. Sturidge, Kakuta
Bosingwa Terry Ivanovic Cole
Mikel
Lampard Essien Malouda
Studridge Drogba Anelka
there aint no problem with playing all these three strikers at the same time.
Studriidge and Anelka can dribble, thereby making them wingers here, then Drogba stays
upfront and fires up.
Trying the diamond might be a nice change of pace. Good call.
P. Cech
J.Bosingwa B.Ivanovich J.Terry A.Cole
M.Essien
Ramires McEachran
Lampard
Drogba(Sub:Sturrige on 45) Anelka(Sub:Kakuta on 45)
On 45 minute score will be 2:0 for Chelsea
cech
Bosingwa Ivanovic Terry A.Cole
Mikel
Esien Malouda
Lampard
Sturridge Drogba
My selection is the same starting line-up which won Blackburn, but Daniel Sturridge for Drogba.
So, it is:
Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, A.Cole
Ramires, Essien, Lampard
Anelka, Sturridge, Malouda
Cech ,
Bosingwa , Ivanovic , Terry , Cole
McEachran,Essien,Lampard
Sturridge ,Drogba,Malouda
Cech
A. Cole Terry Ivanovic Bosingwa
Ramires
McEachran Lampard
Malouda Anelka Sturridge
____________________________
Essien and Drogba should be benched as no player should be untouchable if they are playing as bad as these two. If Ramires/McEachran or any of the forwards are not doing well bring on Drogba or take of a midfield player and shift Malouda in there to have 3 strikers playing which I’m fine with.
Interesting votes so far! Jose Bosingwa is running ahead surprisingly! Josh is giving Essien a run for his money. And Anelka is the top choice for striker. Looks like, Malouda has lost any fans. Only 4 untouchables then – Cech, Terry, Ivanovic and Ashley Cole – all in defence, probably we don’t have too much choice there. Let’s wait for more votes!
4-3-3 (left to right)
Cech
van Aanholt – Terry – Essien – Ivanovic
Lampard – Mikel – McEchran
Sturridge – Drogba – Bosingwa
Surprising that Ramires/Josh don’t find a place in the above poll despite their fine performances of late. We look like a conservative lot as this turns out to be our choice of first XI so far:
Cech, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole, Bosingwa, Lampard, Essien, Malouda, Drogba, Sturridge and Anelka. We ended up with almost the same team hat Carlo would pick, probably to the exception of Sturridge. He might bring in Ramires for Sturridge in the above line-up.
drogba nd lampard are out of form………give sturidge and mceachran a chance
Finally, i am getting used to the new look!
I would give Bruma a chance to show his strength against the bolton bullies