Carling Cup (Or the Lager Cup) - Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea

By: Andy | October 24th, 2006

Pick the bones out of this lot. What type of team does Jose pick for the Carling Cup game at Blackburn tomorrow night? Does he go for the players that haven’t featured so much this season? Geremi, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Kalou, J Cole, Wayne Bridge, Lassana Diarra etc etc etc?

Or does he go for the almost same starting eleven that have produced stunning performances in the last two games against Portsmouth and Barcelona?

Jose has said, before the team flew North this afternoon that all outfield players are fit and are gearing up to play on Wednesday night. It is certain that Hilario will keep his place between the posts and it is possible that The Shev maybe rested to the subs bench, if you take seriously Jose post-match quotes after the Portsmouth game.

Chelsea has already played Blackburn this season at Ewood Park and won 2-0, so Blackburn will be out for quick revenge. The two teams do not play at Stamford Bridge in the Premiership until 31st January 2007.

Chelsea’s part in the Carling Cup last season was ended by Charlton Athletic on a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. Lots of argument and debate here as ‘everybody’ said it was Chelsea’s first defeat of the season - How could it be? Chelsea lost on a penalty shoot-out after the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Whatever side Jose sends out to start the game, Chelsea can expect a tough battle - you wouldn’t expect anything less for a team coached by Mark Hughes.

Whether or not the Blackburn paying public will pay any interest remains to be seen. After all it is the Carling Cup, and they are still licking their wounds from the home defeat by near neighbours, Bolton Wanderers.

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