All change please, all change

All change please, all change 

   With an upsetting 3-1 loss to Everton in the early kick off at the weekend, Chelsea FC look to rubber stamp their normal selves on the European stage. With both English clubs losing 2-1 last night, the Blues hope to announce themselves on the big stage. Maccabi Tel Aviv, already playing 6 Champions League games to reach the group stages, knocking out FC Basel in the last round, will surely fancy piling more misery on the wounded English side. 

   Eran Zahavi, their star man (who is a midfielder) has already scored 7 goals and 2 assists in 5 appearances, will likely cause trouble for the West London club. He has scored 5 goals in his last 3 Champions League games. Food for thought for Mourinho as he must look for ways to kee Zahavi at arms length at all times. A goal scoring midfielder, I wonder if the Blues fans still remember that type of player.

   Rotation is needed more than ever to ensure Chelsea get a positive result on Match Day 1. Time and time again this season, Branislav Ivanovic has been slaughtered for his lack of defending. Never have I witnessed such a rapid decline in a star performer of last season. The powerful Serb misses cutting edge, power and wit to unease his opponents. The relegation to the bench is unavoidable for the right back. In his place, comes the ever hungry, Cesar 'Dave' Azpilicueta. Deployed at LB (left back) for the majority of the Mourinho era, Spaniard Azpilicueta, hopes to move to his favoured position of right back and therefore Baba Rahman, a summer arrival, is given the chance at left back.

   Now this maybe a little unfancied by the Chelsea fans but rumour has it, Mourinho is set to axe Nemanja Matic in favour of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. I'd rather see a Matic-RLC pivot than one in for the other. With a huge game and bragging rights coming up on the weekend against Arsenal, I would like to see a strong wall to protect a vulnerable back four. Furthermore, I feel like Nemanja Matic, had a good game against Everton, took his goal very nicely and wanted to motivate his team mates, unlike Fabregas, who is well out of form. This time last year, he already bagged 6 assists, this time round however, he has none. Awful. With Oscar and Pedro out injured, I would fancy a Kenedy-Hazard-Willian attacking midfield with Fabregas, again, relegated to the bench.

   Another rumour circulating is that Gary Cahill will come into the side and deputise for the club captain John Terry. Maybe a rest for the latter, thinking of the game ahead against Arsenal perhaps.

   Lastly, Diego Costa has been nothing shy of woeful this campaign. Certainly a domino effect. If he can't get the ball, he won't score. Fabregas, the main assister to Costa's 20 goals last season, has not found the striker once. Therefore, Costa could well be watching the game from the bench as Loic Remy, who is yet to play this season, is given a run out. Finally, some pace and movement to trouble a team. Radamel Falcao is out with a small injury and should be back in time for the early kick off against Arsenal on Saturday.

 The West London side really need to begin clicking otherwise, Mr Mourinho's job could be under scrutiny. 

A distraction or a shining light?

A distraction or a shining light? 

The international break. A sickening thought in a life of a football fan. Very rare, do I find a supporter, who enjoys the words 'international' and 'break' in the same sentence. However, it is a timely distraction from the chaos that is happening with Chelsea football club.

   Week one began with calamitous defending against Swansea City, which ended in a fortunate draw at the Bridge. Thibaut Courtois was sent off as Willian was caught napping, allowing Bafetimbi Gomis to sneak in one on one. The big Belgian had no other option but to try and win the ball with his feet, which he didn't, resulting in him having an early bath. Although, the controversy didn't stop there. Deep into injury time, with the score two-a-piece, Eden Hazard is fouled and looking for medical attention. Naturally, the Chelsea medics are rushed onto the field. Strangely, this angers Mourinho. Why you ask? Good question. With Chelsea already down to 10 men and Eden Hazard gaining treatment on the sidelines, Chelsea are now 2 men down. Fortunately for the Blue supporters, Swansea were not able to capitalise. The game ended two-all. Chelsea medics banned for the foreseeable future of attending football matches. Ridiculous.

   Week two ended Chelsea's unbeaten run of one match. With Thibaut Courtois suspended, up stepped new signing Asmir Begovic. The Bosnian, making his first competitive debut, ensured star striker Sergio Aguero, was only limited to one goal. Matters got worse at half-time as the heart of Chelsea's back line, John Terry, who was never substituted by Jose Mourinho prior to the trip to the Etihad, was relegated to the bench. In stepped inexperienced yet huge potential, Kurt Zouma. Did he manage to nullify the team from Manchester? No. The game ended 3-0 to the hosts. Chelsea football team look a mess.

 
    Week three. New signing Pedro Rodriguez, pinched from the noses of Manchester red, was making his first debut for Chelsea. He was rightly awarded man of the match as Chelsea hung onto three precious points. With John Terry sent off, early in the second half, after losing out in a foot race with Salmon Rondon, sure put the cat amongst the pigeons. West Brom, 3-1 down at this point, even manage to get a goal back to ensure there are still troubles for Chelsea. The game eventually finishing 3-2.

   Week four. Jose Mourinho suffers only his second home defeat in 100 games as Chelsea tumble to a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge. Dear oh dear. Chelsea dominated possession in the first half but were unable to capitalise and ultimately, it was Palace who took the lead, early into the second half. As time ticked, Chelsea got a goal back thanks to loanee Radamel Falcao. His first goal in Chelsea colours. However, as I was celebrating, it was Palace who regained the lead, thanks to absent defending from Chelsea and that was that.

   Am I relived there is an international break before a tricky test at Goodison Park? Or will we fall to a second defeat in a row?

   I am relieved. It gives an opportunity for Jose Mourinho to have more time to plan for this tough test. Everton are no push overs and I have faith the Portuguese tactician gets it right. Last year, Chelsea beat Everton 6-3 at Goodison Park, arguably the best game of the season.

   In order to get a positive result, I feel players such as Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas need to be relegated to the bench and the two to replace them should be, Baba Rahman and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The latter two, show desire, hunger and energy whereas the former, are out of form and both got given the run around in the first four games. Kevin Mirallas, Aaron Lennon, Gerard Deulofeu and Aiden McGeady aren't going to be waiting for Mr Ivanovic to catch them up. The same can be said for Cesc Fabregas. Ross Barkley will be extremely hard to handle if there is no brick wall in front of the defence.

The early Saturday kick off will surely show if Chelsea football club have any chance of retaining the Premier League title.

I wait with anticipation to see the line up and the outcome of the upcoming fixture.