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 have 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 staff, and although there was, and nonetheless is after all, hope for the long run, this was a tough one to take in. Metropolis outplayed us, and we had completely nothing. The touring away followers had nothing, and we have been simply being chanted in any respect recreation by Metropolis followers.
Saturday is perhaps completely different although, proper? A season on, a brand new supervisor, and a rejuvenated set of gamers who seemingly now seem like they’re doing all they will to try to show some extent? I do suppose we’re in a barely higher place than we have been final season, although there has additionally been loads of turmoil and doom and gloom this season as effectively. The final two video games will maybe give us the hope we’d like going into this one, however let’s see.
As I’ve stated the final two weeks, there is no such thing as a method I get carried away by the final two victories, not an opportunity. I’ve been there many instances earlier than to only be left disenchanted and indignant once more, so I’m conserving my expectations very low, particularly going to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis!
We performed VERY effectively 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 have been abysmal. My reminiscence serves me, and I believe that’s why for me personally, I’ve to maintain my optimism low for now. There’s additionally been some good and optimistic indicators although, so there’s some hope nonetheless.
Metropolis might solely be lacking Jack Grealish after he was compelled off throughout their Champions League win away at FC Copenhagen, a recreation by which Bernardo Silva was additionally changed. Josko Gvardiol will even miss round two weeks of motion.
Chelsea, in the meantime, will asses Thiago Silva after the groin damage he sustained towards Crystal Palace on Monday night. Benoit Badiashile will even miss round a month of motion with an identical downside.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Robert Sanchez again in partial coaching), Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Lesley Ugochukwu are long-term absentees.
We should wait to listen to on closing confirmations from Mauricio Pochettino in Friday’s press convention after some assessments and late health checks 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 largest determination for Metropolis. I believe Noni Madueke will likely be dropped for Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson would possibly return to play extra centrally, so Cole Palmer can go in the best 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 are able to face, away at Metropolis. However nothing is unimaginable 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 boldness that has constructed up, alongside the superb staff spirit and togetherness we’ve got proven, then something is feasible.
As we’ve got all seen, video games like this could typically go well with this Chelsea aspect. We battle towards a low block, so it no less than is perhaps extra open in an attacking sense. However the different aspect of that’s that we additionally battle to play out towards a excessive press at instances and in addition, similar to an open recreation would possibly assist in our assault, it is going to do the other for our defence. My one concern once more is that if we’re too extremely pressed we’ll lose the ball rather a lot and setup assaults for Metropolis, and if we do the choice and go lengthy, there is no such thing as a point of interest to goal for.
It’s so essential that Enzo Fernandez stays near Moises Caicedo, particularly once we are taking part in out from the again. Full backs should be in sync by way of one sticking if the opposite goes. And our defenders are going to should be so switched on and be totally conscious of runs and counter assaults.
If each participant is on their recreation we are able to beat any staff on our day. But when we’re not on our recreation and the techniques are usually not spot on from Mauricio Pochettino, as we’ve got additionally seen, we’re vulnerable 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 identical horrible recreation like Villa did on that day too!
