The Conte Era - Chelsea 17/18

First game of the season on Sat. Moses is suspended but Pedro should be cleared to play.

XI:


Morata and Batshuayi are 50/50 to start. We should get a win here regardless but reinforcements are needed.

We need to start with Morata. Lad needs to get a tap in goal to get him going.

Batshauyi has better form, and Morata needs time to adapt.

I'd start Bats as either could do the job required but I think Bats is more likely to score.

Good point. I wouldn't want to keep Bats out. But I wouldn't mind starting both Morata and Batshuayi up front with Pedro behind them. Then again it would temp Conte to play Morata on the left of a 3-4-3, which is pretty useless imo. Morata needs to be smack dab in the middle of the box on the end of crosses and running into channels.

Hopefully we get a comfortable win. I think if we can be at least 2nd by the time Hazard and Bakayoko return as well as the new signings, I'd bet money on us winning the league.

I agree, anything but Morata on LW is acceptable!

Well, Morata looked good, So did Christensen, thats about it.

Batshuayi was piss poor the entire time. Should have been hauled off at halftime. Great debut from Morata. Can't wait to see him and Hazard linking up.

Our first XI still looks good, shame we were missing four players from it against Burnley.

Looks like Bakayoko is being rushed back. Was expected to be back in training on August 20th per injury reports but the match is on the 19th so he may be back in training by tomorrow or next.

Considering our other options are Luiz or Musonda, it's hardly surprising.

Especially if he played half a season with the same issue.

Will be interesting to see how it develops.

Musonda? Beside Kante? That'd be almost like playing Hazard there. Nightmare. Don't think Conte would ever be that mad.

He's played there a fair bit in youth teams.

Wouldn't cut it at the senior level. As it is, he's already a bit too frail even for a winger. Needs to put on more muscle. We'd be slaughtered if he ever played there for us. I think we'll get Luiz at DM and Bakayoko coming on at some point in the 2nd half.

Apparently we're having an internal game to asses the fitness of Hazard and probably Bakayoko too.

Hazard is probably still 2 weeks away from getting on the pitch. No point rushing him. Bakayoko though should be safe to play some 20-30 mins against Spurs imo.

Apparently both are available, but Hazard is less fit so will likely stay on the bench.

Hazard won't be in the squad imo.

Hope we can snatch a draw.

I hope we can snatch a win.

Who needs a midfield? Lets just play defenders!

What a win!

Alonso once again proving he is a quality player in the Prem. Christensen impressed and Bakayoko showed promise.

Signings needed but it's not going to be a repeat of 15/16

SportBild are reporting we want to appoint Tuchel,

Probably the worst story of the year.

CL draw has been annouced, we've got Atletico, Roma and Qarabag.

Tough group, but we should still progress.

Another lovely win, another goal and assist for Morata, another appearance for Bakayoko and Christensen.

No more crisis talks.

CL squad has been announced:

Goalkeepers: Willy Caballero, Thibaut Courtois, Eduardo

Defenders: Antonio Rüdiger, Marcos Alonso, Davide Zappacosta, Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Jake Clarke-Salter

Midfielders: Cesc Fàbregas, Danny Drinkwater, N’Golo Kanté, Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Victor Moses, Kenedy, Charly Musonda, Willian, Kyle Scott

Forwards: Alvaro Morata, Michy Batshuayi

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2018/clubs/club=52914/squad/index.html

No Costa, or Baba.

EPL is back, Hazard is unlikely to start and Cahill is still suspended, everyone else should be fit to play.

My team:


Hopefully we get a look at Drinks and Zappa, and Hazard gets some game time.

2 1 win, got the required three points without looking incredible. Exactly what we needed to do.

Our new signings look good, too