I bear in mind being at The Etihad Stadium the final time Chelsea performed there on the finish of final season, and boy was that an all time low.
Metropolis had been topped champions on this present day and had the trophy celebrations on the finish of the match, which after all I needed to sneak away from. However this was a gutter second for the membership and the workforce, and although there was, and nonetheless is after all, hope for the long run, this was a tough one to absorb. Metropolis outplayed us, and we had completely nothing. The touring away followers had nothing, and we had been simply being chanted in any respect recreation by Metropolis followers.
Saturday could be totally different although, proper? A season on, a brand new supervisor, and a rejuvenated set of gamers who seemingly now appear like they’re doing all they will to attempt to show some extent? I do assume we’re in a barely higher place than we had been final season, although there has additionally been loads of turmoil and doom and gloom this season as properly. The final two video games will maybe give us the hope we want going into this one, however let’s see.
As I’ve mentioned the final two weeks, there is no such thing as a means I get carried away by the final two victories, not an opportunity. I’ve been there many instances earlier than to simply be left disenchanted and offended once more, so I’m preserving my expectations very low, particularly going to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis!
We performed VERY properly towards Aston Villa, and pretty good within the second half towards Crystal Palace. However the two video games earlier than Villa, and the primary half towards Palace, we had been abysmal. My reminiscence serves me, and I feel that’s why for me personally, I’ve to maintain my optimism low for now. There’s additionally been some good and constructive indicators although, so there may be some hope nonetheless.
Metropolis may solely be lacking Jack Grealish after he was compelled off throughout their Champions League win away at FC Copenhagen, a recreation through which Bernardo Silva was additionally changed. Josko Gvardiol may even miss round two weeks of motion.
Chelsea, in the meantime, will asses Thiago Silva after the groin harm he sustained towards Crystal Palace on Monday night. Benoit Badiashile may even miss round a month of motion with an analogous drawback.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Robert Sanchez again in partial coaching), Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Lesley Ugochukwu are long-term absentees.
We must wait to listen to on ultimate confirmations from Mauricio Pochettino in Friday’s press convention after some assessments and late health assessments for the likes of Silva, and Malo Gusto. Silva was injured, however Gusto was fatigued, per Pochettino.
Pochettino’s lineup primarily picks itself proper now, aside from in assault, and that’s the place the gaffer has to make his greatest determination for Metropolis. I feel Noni Madueke might be dropped for Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson would possibly return to play extra centrally, so Cole Palmer can go in the appropriate half area the place he’s best. The remaining, with accidents in thoughts, picks itself.
It’s in all probability THE hardest league fixture we will face, away at Metropolis. However nothing is not possible in soccer and as we confirmed in our final recreation towards them, we’re greater than able to going toe-to-toe. So if we take that, the momentum from our final two video games, the arrogance that has constructed up, alongside the wonderful workforce spirit and togetherness we have now proven, then something is feasible.
As we have now all seen, video games like this may generally go well with this Chelsea aspect. We wrestle towards a low block, so it at the least could be extra open in an attacking sense. However the different aspect of that’s that we additionally wrestle to play out towards a excessive press at instances and likewise, identical to an open recreation would possibly assist in our assault, it can do the other for our defence. My one concern once more is that if we’re too extremely pressed we’ll lose the ball loads and setup assaults for Metropolis, and if we do the choice and go lengthy, there is no such thing as a focus to intention for.
It’s so essential that Enzo Fernandez stays near Moises Caicedo, particularly after we are taking part in out from the again. Full backs must be in sync when it comes to one sticking if the opposite goes. And our defenders are going to should be so switched on and be absolutely conscious of runs and counter assaults.
If each participant is on their recreation we will beat any workforce on our day. But when we aren’t on our recreation and the techniques should not spot on from Mauricio Pochettino, as we have now additionally seen, we’re liable to an actual humbling once more and getting embarrassed.
Lets hope they flip up like they did at Villa, and lets hope Metropolis have an analogous horrible recreation like Villa did on that day too!
