Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has big decisions to make for his team’s match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Check out his predicted line-up here.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has a few dilemmas ahead of his team’s match against Manchester City – particularly in midfield.
The first decision for the Blues manager is whether to leave the club’s all time top goalscorer Frank Lampard on the bench, and having stated he will send his team out to beat Manchester City, he must decide whether to play two holding midfielders or bank on a more dynamic midfield proving effective.
At left back too, he faces a tricky decision, with Cesar Azpilicueta preferred to Ashley Cole in recent weeks.
Mourinho’s Chelsea predicted line-up is below.
Petr Cech
One of the few positions which picks itself, Petr Cech is having his most solid season in goal for years.
The Czech Republic international has stepped up his game since the Blues signed Belgian starlet Thibaut Courtois, and the fight for the number one shirt next season at Stamford Bridge will be an intriguing battle.
Branislav Ivanovic
Having shared right back duties with Cesar Azpilicueta last season, Branislav Ivanovic has made the position his own, with immense power in the tackle and great aerial strength to match it, as well as improving contributions to the attack.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta has taken England left back Ashley Cole’s spot in the Chelsea team, but tonight might be a difficult match for the Spaniard.
He is likely to be up against Jesus Navas on Man City’s right flank, an orthodox winger, and Azpilicueta is therefore likely to be tackling his compatriot using his weaker left foot.
A position to watch.
Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill has come on in leaps and bounds for Chelsea, and is a far better defender than he was when he first arrived from Bolton Wanderers.
The England man faces one of the most deadly forward lines in Europe though, with Man City already having scored a barely palatable 68 goals in 23 Premier League matches.
However, in the absence of Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s task is made considerably easier.
John Terry
John Terry is enjoying a huge resurgence for Chelsea this season, having cemented his place in the starting line-up after being the victim of squad rotation under Rafa Benitez.
The former England skipper has helped his team keep the meanest defence in the English top flight, with just 20 goals conceded in 23 games, and his anticipation, positioning and aerial ability makes the Blues an immensely difficult proposition to beat.
Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has been quietly proving his class since his January transfer to Stamford Bridge, illustrating an innate ability to always be in the right place at the right time and a monumental physical presence too.
How well he can stick with the drifting movement of David Silva and powerful running of Yaya Toure could decide the match.
Ramires
Arsenal have found that when selecting both Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta, the tempo of the Gunners’ play can be slow and tepid.
Chelsea may find the same with Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel both passing side to side to each other, and the box-to-box dynamism of Ramires could hold them in good stead to launch attacks against Manchester City.
Willian
When Chelsea signed Willian, Jose Mourinho was decried for bringing the Brazilian to Stamford Bridge – with many accusing the Portuguese manager of hoarding players so that his rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool could not sign them.
The 25 year-old has since proven himself worthy of a place in the Blues’ starting XI, and his skill, creativity and goal threat married up with his insatiable work rate make him one of Chelsea’s most important players.
Oscar
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho recognised the importance of Oscar as soon as he arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer to take the managerial for the second time.
The Brazilian may not be as flashy as the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian or the departed Juan Mata, but he has the masterful habit of finding space in dangerous areas, and his ghostly runs and deadly finishing make him a huge threat.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is becoming one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Premier League, and Jose Mourinho has already suggested he could be a genuine contender for this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or.
The Belgian has scored nine times and provided five assists in the Premier League, and is ranked fifth for key passes per game in the top flight as well as being the second most successful dribbler.
Manchester City will know that stopping Hazard will be key to stopping Chelsea.
Samuel Eto’o
Chelsea haven’t had a dependable striker since Didier Drogba left, but the recent form of Samuel Eto’o in big games could change that.
The Cameroon international scored a hat-trick against Manchester United, and scored the winner against Liverpool, and Jose Mourinho will know that he can depend on the 32 year-old for goals.