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 today and had the trophy celebrations on the finish of the match, which in fact I needed to sneak away from. However this was a gutter second for the membership and the crew, and regardless that there was, and nonetheless is in fact, hope for the longer term, 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 likely to be totally 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 a degree? I do assume we’re in a barely higher place than we have been final season, regardless that 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 want going into this one, however let’s see.
As I’ve mentioned the final two weeks, there isn’t any method I get carried away by the final two victories, not an opportunity. I’ve been there many occasions earlier than to simply be left disenchanted and indignant once more, so I’m retaining my expectations very low, particularly going to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis!
We performed VERY effectively in opposition to Aston Villa, and pretty good within the second half in opposition to Crystal Palace. However the two video games earlier than Villa, and the primary half in opposition to Palace, we have been abysmal. My reminiscence serves me, and I feel 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 may be some hope nonetheless.
Metropolis may 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 may even miss round two weeks of motion.
Chelsea, in the meantime, will asses Thiago Silva after the groin harm he sustained in opposition to Crystal Palace on Monday night. Benoit Badiashile may even miss round a month of motion with the same 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 ultimate confirmations from Mauricio Pochettino in Friday’s press convention after some assessments and late health assessments 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, apart from in assault, and that’s the place the gaffer has to make his largest resolution for Metropolis. I feel Noni Madueke might be dropped for Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson would possibly return to play extra centrally, so Cole Palmer can go in the appropriate half house the place he’s best. The remainder, with accidents in thoughts, picks itself.
It’s in all probability THE hardest league fixture we will face, away at Metropolis. However nothing is inconceivable in soccer and as we confirmed in our final recreation in opposition to 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 crew spirit and togetherness we’ve got proven, then something is feasible.
As we’ve got all seen, video games like this will generally go well with this Chelsea facet. We battle in opposition to a low block, so it a minimum of is likely to be extra open in an attacking sense. However the different facet of that’s that we additionally battle to play out in opposition to a excessive press at occasions and likewise, similar to an open recreation would possibly assist in our assault, it’s going to do the alternative for our defence. My one concern once more is that if we’re too extremely pressed we are going to lose the ball quite a bit and setup assaults for Metropolis, and if we do the choice and go lengthy, there isn’t any point of interest to intention 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 need to be so switched on and be totally conscious of runs and counter assaults.
If each participant is on their recreation we will beat any crew on our day. But when we aren’t on our recreation and the techniques usually are not spot on from Mauricio Pochettino, as we’ve got additionally seen, we’re liable to an actual humbling once more and getting embarrassed.
Lets hope they flip up like they did at Villa, and lets hope Metropolis have the same horrible recreation like Villa did on that day too!
