@Ferit22- That's the thing with Chelsea, and the great teams of the past, there are multiple candidates for most important player so much so that there actually isn't one. I personally would argue actually Terry is because that is the one position (central defence) where if the first choice is injured, there is a weakness. Mikel in for Matic is a drop down but I don't think as much so as a Terry-less defence. Still, at least 5 Chelsea players will be in the Prem XI come the end of the season barring some monumental flop which I'm hoping for. :-p
Matic was not human today. There is simply no holding midfielder that can match his dynamism and level of performances. An absolute monster of a footballer!
@Excalibur- He only needs to add cynical fouls and dives to his game and he'll be considered better than Busquets! :-p . Matic is someone than needs some inventive quality next to and in front of him or he struggles for an out ball (as do all defensive midfielders) but what I like most are the little 10 to 15-yard dribbles he makes (for the most part which happens after tackling an opposition player) in and around crowded bodies to relieve pressure. Sometimes it turns directly into a Chelsea attack but it doesn't have to, passing it 5 yards after the dribble calms everything down and that's his job. I'm going to paraphrase Churchill:- "Only Matic — superb, nay, sublime! — in the jaws of peril— Matic shows what free men can do".
With Chelsea not looking so mighty lately, I think Everton might bring home some points from this one. Costa is suspended, Fabregas is a doubt and CL clash with PSG is coming, so he might not be risked to play. Hazard+Oscar winning it for Chelsea, otherwise anything might happen. Not sure if he'll play, but I can't see Cuadrado making any impact on the game whatsoever.
Everton has shown resilience in their last games, having not lost in the last 4 games. I see Chelsea just edging it, 2-1 or 1-0. With FabrePASS back i hope to see a midfield 3 of Ramires, Matic and Fabregas.
@Ferit22- Not Oscar in the 10? I think he's been very good for the majority of the season, probably my starting number 10 in the team of the season thus far based on Cazorla having a very quiet start.
@SteveHyland I agree, and i think his work rate and strong positional skills go unnoticed. But at times this season we have been exposed with a Matic-Fabregas pairing (Spurs away)
@Ferit22- And his fouls of Arsenal midfielders! Ha. Had to get that in. It'll be interesting to see what midfield line Jose will go with at the Emirates. If fit, Matic and Fabregas are certs but he could go with Ramires in a genuine midfield 3 rather than having a #10. Probably depends on the league situation but if Chelsea only need a point (or can even take a loss and still be 2 wins ahead of City) then I wouldn't be surprised given his conservatism away from home.
7 dribbles from the anchor DM...wow
Matic. Take a bow. Chelseas most important player.
@Ferit22- That's the thing with Chelsea, and the great teams of the past, there are multiple candidates for most important player so much so that there actually isn't one. I personally would argue actually Terry is because that is the one position (central defence) where if the first choice is injured, there is a weakness. Mikel in for Matic is a drop down but I don't think as much so as a Terry-less defence. Still, at least 5 Chelsea players will be in the Prem XI come the end of the season barring some monumental flop which I'm hoping for. :-p
Matic was not human today. There is simply no holding midfielder that can match his dynamism and level of performances. An absolute monster of a footballer!
@Excalibur- He only needs to add cynical fouls and dives to his game and he'll be considered better than Busquets! :-p . Matic is someone than needs some inventive quality next to and in front of him or he struggles for an out ball (as do all defensive midfielders) but what I like most are the little 10 to 15-yard dribbles he makes (for the most part which happens after tackling an opposition player) in and around crowded bodies to relieve pressure. Sometimes it turns directly into a Chelsea attack but it doesn't have to, passing it 5 yards after the dribble calms everything down and that's his job. I'm going to paraphrase Churchill:- "Only Matic — superb, nay, sublime! — in the jaws of peril— Matic shows what free men can do".
wtf cech! are you for real?
@lorde 5(5) clean sheets in the PL this season .
THE SPECIAL ONE!!!!
YESSSS!
pitch is empty
Zouma is a beast
Nice to see Hazard ask for a foul and the referee to oblige him. I expect nothing less from the best league in the world.
Draw ;)
With Chelsea not looking so mighty lately, I think Everton might bring home some points from this one. Costa is suspended, Fabregas is a doubt and CL clash with PSG is coming, so he might not be risked to play. Hazard+Oscar winning it for Chelsea, otherwise anything might happen. Not sure if he'll play, but I can't see Cuadrado making any impact on the game whatsoever.
Emm... where is players in the probable lineups?
Chelsea win and both teams score.2-1 or 3-1
3-0 or 2-1 should be fine...but I believe the most in the 3-0 scoreline.
I'm going 2-0 Chelsea but the 2nd coming late on. Remy has to start, Drogba is done. He should retire.
@SteveHyland I was surprised they bought Didier back to the club.
Everton has shown resilience in their last games, having not lost in the last 4 games. I see Chelsea just edging it, 2-1 or 1-0. With FabrePASS back i hope to see a midfield 3 of Ramires, Matic and Fabregas.
@Ferit22- Not Oscar in the 10? I think he's been very good for the majority of the season, probably my starting number 10 in the team of the season thus far based on Cazorla having a very quiet start.
@SteveHyland I agree, and i think his work rate and strong positional skills go unnoticed. But at times this season we have been exposed with a Matic-Fabregas pairing (Spurs away)
@Ferit22- And his fouls of Arsenal midfielders! Ha. Had to get that in. It'll be interesting to see what midfield line Jose will go with at the Emirates. If fit, Matic and Fabregas are certs but he could go with Ramires in a genuine midfield 3 rather than having a #10. Probably depends on the league situation but if Chelsea only need a point (or can even take a loss and still be 2 wins ahead of City) then I wouldn't be surprised given his conservatism away from home.
2:1 Chelsea win
I see Everton holding Chelsea 1-1
@Zee530 Based off what exactly? Because it can't be reality.
@excalibur Chelsea have not played well since they beat swansea, Everton have some guys returning and they're not conceding anymore.
hazard will be MoM