The Chelsea fans in the Football Transfer Tavern have been impressed at the progressive management style of Antonio Conte…
Gone are the days of the utilisation of the old guard, and in has come a new generation of Chelsea stars.
Players like Nathaniel Chalobah and Victor Moses would never have been given a chance under previous managers, and thus far Conte’s squad management has been exemplary.
However, this weekend plays host to another Chelsea fixture; and this time they are coming up against newly promoted Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough have looked good this season, but the Blues will be expected to win the game. And whilst Antonio Conte’s team selection has been excellent thus far; our landlord doesn’t think that you can ever be sure at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea managers of old would often return to tried and tested methods despite achieving success with new ideas; simply because that method had worked in the past. If Antonio Conte picks a few of the wrong players, as other managers have in the past, Sunday’s game could spell disaster.
With that said, if Conte fields this Chelsea XI, Middlesbrough will surely cause an upset…
GK – Thibaut Courtois
Courtois is definitely Chelsea’s undisputed number 1 – but he hasn’t been exempt from a few mistakes as of late.
A poor game could spell disaster.
CB – Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill has looked good recently, but he is never too far away from another mistake.
CB – John Terry
Not too often over the last few years has John Terry been second-choice at Chelsea – but he is right now.
Putting him in would be a disaster. The Chelsea defence is performing well, and he looked poor in the EFL Cup.
CB – David Luiz
David Luiz has looked good since he joined, but with John Terry in the team – that could all change.
He is forced to play out of the middle of the back 3 with Terry in the team – and his weaknesses are exposed in that role.
He was poor in the position against West Ham in the EFL Cup – could that be repeated?
RWB – Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic has been out of the team as of late – but never say never.
He always gets back in, and as of late – he has looked poor.
CM – Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas has been dropped this season, and in truth – this formation really does not suit him.
He will leave Chelsea exposed defensively.
CM – Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has looked better this season – but much of that is down to the arrival of N’Golo Kante.
Alongside Fabregas, it will be a whole different story. He won’t have the defensive cover – and that will be an issue.
LWB – Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta was great at left-back – but he is not offensive enough to be a good enough winger.
Marcos Alonso is Chelsea’s only option – and all it would take is an injury to the Spaniard for Chelsea’s side to have a serious problem.
RW – Willian
Willian was great last year – but this season he has been poor.
Hazard picked up an injury in mid-week and is a doubt for the game – but Willian should not be his replacement.
ST – Michy Batshuayi
There have been calls from our punters to play Batshuayi ahead of Costa. Costa is one yellow from a suspension, and the Chelsea fans think that he should be saved for the game next weekend.
This would be an awful move, as Batshuayi simply isn’t ready for a Premier League start.
LW – Oscar
Oscar doesn’t fit into this Chelsea system – but you can definitely see Conte giving him a go.
Pedro has been in great form – and should not be replaced.
