Chelsea fans here in the Football Transfer Tavern have been pleased with their side’s start to the Premier League season, and will be expecting more of the same this weekend…
Awaiting them on Saturday is a home game against newly-promoted Burnley, in a game that the Blues will be expected to win.
Burnley have enjoyed a mixed start to the season, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat on the opening day against Swansea before surprising everyone here in the Tavern with a stunning 2-0 win against Liverpool.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are two from two, with a couple of late Diego Costa strikes sealing the wins for the Blues in their first season under Antonio Conte.
The Blues’ successful start to the season will likely mean a fairly similar starting XI this weekend, though our landlord thinks there will be a couple of changes in order to freshen things up.
With that in mind, our landlord thinks that this 4-1-4-1 Chelsea line-up will definitely beat Burnley on Saturday…
GK – Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is Chelsea’s undisputed No.1 this year, and he is unlikely to be displaced anytime soon.
The Belgian has looked impressive in his two Premier League performances so far this season, so you would expect that to continue this weekend.
RB – Branislav Ivanovic
An injury to Ola Aina in Chelsea’s victory against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup earlier this week will mean that Ivanovic will keep his place on the right-hand side of Conte’s defence, much to the annoyance of the Blues faithful in the Tavern.
The Serbian defender has looked better this year after a disappointing campaign last season – but he will have to keep that up if he wants to retain his place in the side long-term.
CB – Gary Cahill
More of the same in the middle of the defence, with a lack of options meaning that the same Chelsea duo will be forced to play against Burnley once again.
Gary Cahill has looked good so far this year amid the club’s reported search for a new central defender – and you wouldn’t expect any of the visiting forwards to pose much of an issue to the experienced defender.
CB – John Terry
The Chelsea captain is a dead cert to start on Saturday and has responded to critics with a couple of good performances this year.
He definitely isn’t getting any younger but JT is maintaining his performance level on the pitch so far this season, and Conte will be hoping that it continues.
The Chelsea faithful here in the Tavern will back him to the hilt no matter what.
LB – Cesar Azpilicueta
A fan favourite here in the Football Transfer Tavern, Cesar Azpilicueta has been Mr Reliable over the last few years.
Whilst he does not offer too much going forward, defensively he is absolutely unstoppable; and he should nullify the threat on the left-hand side of the Chelsea defence.
DM – N’Golo Kante
N’Golo Kante has enjoyed quite the start to life at Chelsea so far, immediately settling into the midfield.
He has excelled at breaking up play and shielding his defence so far, and our landlord reckons that if he can keep his current form up – he is a shoe in for Player of the Year next season.
RM – Victor Moses
With Willian still recovering from an injury, having missed two games so far, and Pedro looking woefully out of form – Victor Moses deserves a chance to impress on the right-hand side of the attack.
A goal against Bristol Rovers would have given him the confidence that he needs to force his way back into the first team, and it will be up him to prove that he can stay there.
CAM – Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas was a match winner last weekend, providing the pass to Diego Costa as he scored Chelsea’s winner. He came on and absolutely changed the game, and he deserves a start this weekend for his efforts.
Whilst some of the punters here in the Football Transfer Tavern don’t think that he fits the new system, he has proven that he will make it work; and he could excel under Conte this season.
CAM – Oscar
Whilst many would expect a more defensively-minded Nemanja Matic to partner Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the park, Oscar’s performances so far mean that he deserves to start again this weekend.
N’Golo Kante is a perfect defensive shield, reducing the need for another defensively minded midfielder – especially against a side like Burnley, who aren’t expected to cause Chelsea much trouble defensively.
He could form quite the partnership with Oscar.
LM – Eden Hazard
The Belgian maestro attracts crowds here in the Football Transfer Tavern every time he plays, and it is easy to see why.
He has been back to his best so far this year, and that will only get better with time.
Our landlord is backing him for yet another Man of the Match performance.
ST – Diego Costa
The Chelsea striker has won both Premier League games so far this season with last minute strikes, and it would take a brave man to bet against him scoring again this weekend.
He has been on fire this season, and despite the controversy surrounding him – you cannot doubt his qualities.
Michy Batshuayi will feel unfortunate not to get a start after two goals in midweek, but a 30-minute cameo towards the end should allow him another opportunity to bag a goal or two.
