The Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are piling into the pub ahead of their side’s Champions League clash this evening. A win will see the Blues through to the last 16 of the competition, and so it’s very important fixture for the club.
The talk of the Transfer Tavern today has been all about who Antonio Conte is going to pick in his starting eleven, and around an hour before kick-off, the Italian’s decisions were revealed via the official Chelsea Twitter page. Included within the team are a number of surprises, including the inclusion of David Luiz and the lack of Danny Drinkwater, but Alvaro Morata is the player that has generated the most chatter so far.
The Spaniard has been benched by Conte in favour of the inclusion of Eden Hazard as a false-9, with Conte clearly having one eye on the Blues’ next game against Liverpool at the weekend.
Here is how the Blues line up in Baku: Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), David Luiz, Rudiger; Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro. #QARCHE pic.twitter.com/IFmxonFSlC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 22, 2017
Unsurprisingly, this has had quite the reaction over on Twitter, and it seems as though most fans are delighted. It’s certainly a big call for Antonio Conte, but with so many big games on the horizon, it’s a risk worth taking. This is a sentiment that is being echoed online by most fans.
Take a look at a few responses below…
Good team. Resting Christensen and Morata for Liverpool.
— R (@Legedenary) November 22, 2017
That false 9 baby
— Panko† (@Spinksaay) November 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/Rashthedoctor/status/933365480097587201
Dropping Morata could prove to be a masterclass tbh. He’s going to be fresh for Anfield at the weekend
— Rudiger’s Hustle (@HustlingRudiger) November 22, 2017
Morata rested rightly but lack of squad depth visible again with Hazard starting upfront
— Vinod (@GayanVinod) November 22, 2017
Winning team
— Aditya (@Morata_F9T) November 22, 2017
Think it's smart to rest Morata for the weekend. This game won't be as easy as the home game but we should do the job without him.
— Darragh (@CescAssist) November 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/bmjc1996/status/933364657435365376
Good to have rested morata, bakayoko, Christensen. Now task left to kante, willian in middle. Luiz has to play well. https://t.co/dChPENJuj7
— Onion (@VenBram) November 22, 2017
It’s a false 9. And then we rest Morata, Baka’ and Christensen with Liverpool on mind. Get in, Chelsea! https://t.co/o5Ta8MPjZw
— SoccerYard (@Kayojek) November 22, 2017
