Rival Lines
Match Preview: Chelsea v AFCB
Chelsea have had a great start to the season winning their three Premier League games. The charity Shield defeat to Man City seems a distant memory and while media interest in their owner's troubles, and the will Eden Hazard go or stay saga has kept the tabloids busy, we wanted to know if Maurizio Sarri was the answer to all Chelsea's problems? Chelsea Daft gives some opinions ahead of the match with AFC Bournemouth.
CC: What are the main differences that you have seen in the way the team is playing since Sarri has come in?
CD: Main difference is that we are always looking to play on the front foot and to move the ball forward at pace.
CC: The game against Arsenal was a belter, do you think it set the tone for what could be a great season for Chelsea as you didn't buckle having had a two goal lead wiped out?
CD: It's nerve wracking for Chelsea fans and frustrating. We defend too narrow and allow space on the wings which Arsenal exposed. We are far from the finished article but will take every three points we can get at the moment no matter they come.
CC: Have you been surprised that the team has made this season with all the goings on off the pitch at Chelsea and the defeat to Man City in the Charity Shield?
CD: Chelsea still have the basis of our title winning side from two seasons ago with a couple of additions and let's face it, we are used to all sorts going on away from the pitch. It's no problem.
CC: How do you feel about the possibility that Abramovich might be looking to sell and the new stadium now being in jeopardy?
CD: It's to be seen if there is any real substance in these reports and I would be surprised if there was. In my opinion the press have taken two and two to make five based on the owners visa issues. The stadium is on hold and will be completed at some stage.
CC: Eden Hazard looks like he is enjoying his football again and that has to be good news for Chelsea after all the transfer talk. Is he back to his best?
CD: Keeping hold of Eden Hazard has been the best piece of business for us this summer. The guy looks better than ever and has started the season on fire. There is no one better in this league.
CC: Do you feel that Morata is doing well enough on his own up front or would you like to see Giroud partnering him more often from the start?
CD: Morata has well publicised issues with our teams style last year and hopefully, with Sarri-ball he will get plenty more chances to score. If Giroud starts he gives us a different option but I'd doubt we would see both start together.
CC: Kepa Arrizabalaga has kept one clean sheet against Huddersfield. Do you think he has fitted in well and is going to be another great keeper for Chelsea?
CD: It's far too early to say about our new man but because of the way we play teams will always create chances against us. He needs at least a season under his belt before we can judge.
CC: Nathan Aké will be returning to Stanford Bridge in this game. Do the Chelsea fans still think very highly of him?
CD: One of the ones that got away but at the same time, he was never going to replace our back three so the decision to sell was a good one. He is a good player and still fond of him.
CC: How will Chelsea line up for this game?
CD: I believe it will be the same eleven that started against Newcastle last Sunday.
13 Caballero, 8 Barkley, 12Loftus-Cheek, 18 Giroud, 21 Zappacosta, 22 Willian, 27 Christensen
CC: If Chelsea lost their unbeaten record in this game would it be a big surprise?
CD: On paper (no disrespect) it would but we have seen you guys turn up and spoil the party before. Should be a good game!
CC: Thanks to Chelsea Daft for being the second Rival Lines of the season. It does puzzle me why Chelsea are not talked about as title contenders when they have set the bar high at the start of the season and can point towards an unbeaten record just like Liverpool, Watford and Spurs. But perhaps Chelsea are not fancied because of all the going's on behind the scenes and a new manager. Chelsea Daft says they are used to it, but Chelsea are good at self-destruction. It may be that AFCB will lend a hand in lighting a few potential fires, if they come away with another away win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Visit Chelsea Daft for more news on Sarri's concerns and their £71.6m keeper.
Cherry Chimes' Newsletter - out tomorrow
Cherry Chimes' September Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. It's out tomorrow with special story - What should expectations be for Bournemouth fans?
To sign up for the newsletter just complete the form below - like all good things it's free!
In other news, AFCB drew Blackburn Rovers at home in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Blogger Interview: Chelsea Daft
Twitter @Chelseadaft.org
CC: What are the main differences that you have seen in the way the team is playing since Sarri has come in?
CD: Main difference is that we are always looking to play on the front foot and to move the ball forward at pace.
CC: The game against Arsenal was a belter, do you think it set the tone for what could be a great season for Chelsea as you didn't buckle having had a two goal lead wiped out?
CD: It's nerve wracking for Chelsea fans and frustrating. We defend too narrow and allow space on the wings which Arsenal exposed. We are far from the finished article but will take every three points we can get at the moment no matter they come.
CC: Have you been surprised that the team has made this season with all the goings on off the pitch at Chelsea and the defeat to Man City in the Charity Shield?
CD: Chelsea still have the basis of our title winning side from two seasons ago with a couple of additions and let's face it, we are used to all sorts going on away from the pitch. It's no problem.
CC: How do you feel about the possibility that Abramovich might be looking to sell and the new stadium now being in jeopardy?
CD: It's to be seen if there is any real substance in these reports and I would be surprised if there was. In my opinion the press have taken two and two to make five based on the owners visa issues. The stadium is on hold and will be completed at some stage.
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CC: Eden Hazard looks like he is enjoying his football again and that has to be good news for Chelsea after all the transfer talk. Is he back to his best?
CD: Keeping hold of Eden Hazard has been the best piece of business for us this summer. The guy looks better than ever and has started the season on fire. There is no one better in this league.
CC: Do you feel that Morata is doing well enough on his own up front or would you like to see Giroud partnering him more often from the start?
CD: Morata has well publicised issues with our teams style last year and hopefully, with Sarri-ball he will get plenty more chances to score. If Giroud starts he gives us a different option but I'd doubt we would see both start together.
CC: Kepa Arrizabalaga has kept one clean sheet against Huddersfield. Do you think he has fitted in well and is going to be another great keeper for Chelsea?
CD: It's far too early to say about our new man but because of the way we play teams will always create chances against us. He needs at least a season under his belt before we can judge.
CC: Nathan Aké will be returning to Stanford Bridge in this game. Do the Chelsea fans still think very highly of him?
CD: One of the ones that got away but at the same time, he was never going to replace our back three so the decision to sell was a good one. He is a good player and still fond of him.
CC: How will Chelsea line up for this game?
CD: I believe it will be the same eleven that started against Newcastle last Sunday.
1 Arrizabalaga, 28 Azpilicueta, 2 Rüdiger, 30 David Luiz, 3 Alonso, 7 Kanté, 5 Jorginho,
17 Kovacic, 11 Pedro, 29 Morata, 10 E Hazard
13 Caballero, 8 Barkley, 12Loftus-Cheek, 18 Giroud, 21 Zappacosta, 22 Willian, 27 Christensen
CC: If Chelsea lost their unbeaten record in this game would it be a big surprise?
CD: On paper (no disrespect) it would but we have seen you guys turn up and spoil the party before. Should be a good game!
CC: Thanks to Chelsea Daft for being the second Rival Lines of the season. It does puzzle me why Chelsea are not talked about as title contenders when they have set the bar high at the start of the season and can point towards an unbeaten record just like Liverpool, Watford and Spurs. But perhaps Chelsea are not fancied because of all the going's on behind the scenes and a new manager. Chelsea Daft says they are used to it, but Chelsea are good at self-destruction. It may be that AFCB will lend a hand in lighting a few potential fires, if they come away with another away win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Visit Chelsea Daft for more news on Sarri's concerns and their £71.6m keeper.
Cherry Chimes' September Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. It's out tomorrow with special story - What should expectations be for Bournemouth fans?
To sign up for the newsletter just complete the form below - like all good things it's free!
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