Who starts? Stoke City v. Chelsea

By: Jack | August 10th, 2011

A new season is upon us. It may not be this weekend – thanks to a large number of disillusioned idiots – but it will arrive soon nevertheless. This fact brings with it a number of questions, among them: Who will Andre Villas-Boas field at the Britannia in our opener?

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The goal

As Petr Cech admitted earlier this week, there are a plethora of options at the manager’s disposal.

We know that our charismatic Portugese favors the 4-3-3, a favorite of the club since, well, that other, lesser known Portugese took over the club in June 2004. We also know that he’ll have pretty much a full squad to choose from for his competitive debut in England, David Luiz looking the only real doubt with tendinitis in his left knee.

So, who makes Villas-Boas’ first starting XI? You tell me.

Here’s how I think he’ll line us up for the opener. I must say, this was rather difficult.

Cech
Bosingwa-Ivanovic-EBJT-Cole
Ramires-Mikel-Lampard
Anelka-Drogba-Malouda

I opted for Bosingwa on the right of the defense mainly because AVB has been tentative to field Bane there in the preseason, and Bos was serviceable (somewhat) on a handful of occasions in Asia. Of course, a biased analysis of the situation would have Bosingwa on a plane out of the country in a few short minutes. But maybe that’s just me.

Daniel Sturridge would have likely been the option on the right side of the front three, but a three-match ban has scuttled that potential idea. Fernando Torres showed some industry and guile when deployed on the right at Ibrox, but I somehow doubt AVB will be that forward thinking so early in the season. Thus, I reckon Nic will be the guy. Meh.

Anyway. Let us know what XI you think AVB will field against Stoke, whenever the match may be played.

Some Related Chelsea Posts:

Category: Chelsea Team News, Fixtures, Opinion, Premier League

« Could a promising young right back be in our future? | Home | Internationals: Drogba reaches milestone, Nando concussed »

Jack

Glad to see this post has sparked such conversation. I think what that mainly points to is the variety of options AVB has at his disposal. My team was an unbiased look at what our new manager may do for Stoke. Looks like it will definitely be Alex-EBJT in the center of defense, though. And Bosingwa on the right. Meh.
ASR

I really wanna see mceachran in the mix.. he has poise, ball control, and creativivity. I think he or yossi needs to start just to have enough creative flare in the midfield..
orthodoxyordeath

I never spam, but this is an exception. Any of you fantasy footie players, go to the Barclay's website, code for my league is 984339-236053.
Chris Harnan

ivanvoic out as well with a thigh strain...
dan

i think yossi is going to start in place of mikel
Madhaz

cech
bosingwa-alex-terry-cole
benayoun-mceahran-lampard
lukaku-drogba-malouda
Matt

I dont think McEchran would be that good as the holding midfield, he is further suited in the attack. Maybe he can rotated with either Yossi or Lampard. Since we will playing against Stoke, need some steel in the midfield (Mikel or Romeu).
ChelseaYank

Agreed.
Both Ramires and McEchran strike me as smallish, not physical players. They will need to play larger IMO to control the mid if that's what they are asked to do.
Buzzi

I'll agree with those who have said Alex should start. Where has he been? There's been no mention of him all pre-season I feel like, yet he's more or less our best CB, so I don't understand.
Lizidking

Was away at Copa America (with David Luiz) - hasn't played at all in pre-season, has a knee injury as well (i think)
JoaquinMoyo

Cech
Ivanovic Alex JT Cole
Ramires Mikel Yossi
Kalou Torres Malouda
ChelseaYank

Torres had his bell rung in the friendly. Still thinking he's your man?
Runar J. G. Tuft

Cech
Iva Alex EBJT Cole
Benayoun Ramires Lampard
Anelka Torres Malouda
jay

cech
bos-alex-terry-cole
benayoun-mikel-lampard
torres-drog-malouda

If we're going to have a striker on the wing i'd prefer it to be Torres...he's the much better player and will without a doubt play that specific role more effectively than Anelka. Hopefully we will have a pacey wide player like Mata by the end of August. Mata + Torres + Sturridge = lots of goals. With McEachran and Romeu (and Piazon) still to come in I think we're ok in the middle for this season at least.
Wayne

Same team line up as last season Chelsea disappoint me a lot. Don't you guys feel bored looking at the same team its so frustrating!!!!!
JoaquinMoyo

Yes indeed I almost want to say hey we can stick this new star we bought her...oh wait...
Fineflat

I prefer for the start to have Ivanovich on the right and Alex in the center. Bosingwa is not reliable as defender he can strenthen the attack in the second time. All the rest is ok, it is not a time for experiments. If the coach wants to take a risk and try it is possible to put Benaun instead of Lampard and Torres instead of Didier.
Ben Mcconnell

Cech
Bos - brana - terry - cole
ram - mikel - lamps
Kalou - torres - malouda
sturridge in after ban and if things dont go great he'll bring on drog in my opinion torres has been just as good as drogba in pre season maybe a little worse but he has been looking sharper in the latter stages of the pre season.
Chris Harnan

Torres just had to leave the spain game in the 14th minute because of a head injury, spanish tv is saying he said he went deaf and felt like he was going to faint.

he did however leave on his own two feet but he might not be able to play on sunday.
Jack

Saw that. Looks like a concussion. I don't there's any way he's involved this weekend.
Birk

Ivanovic-Alex-JT-Cole
Ramires-Lamps-Malouda
Kalou-Drogs-Anelka

Depending on chemistry at half get Yossi and Torres on the field together, possibly by pulling Drogs and Kalou and moving Malouda up and Anelka over to right. Bosingwa is a horrible liability for little of his promised offensive acumen. Yossi, Anelka and Malouda are the three players that have shown any rapport with Torres and, obviously, it'd be great to get him on the scoresheet at the beginning of the campaign.
Eidur

Alex (best defender in the squad) ahead of Ivanovic, latter is half-decent at right back but poor at centre-half, despite the fact he claims he's better there (lies).

Will be worried if we started with Ramires-Mikel-Lampard in midfield, it's extremely pedestrian looking and Lampard isn't good enough as a playmaker to get Chelsea ticking. His runs also leave the other two exposed, which means one or the other has to do the work of two men in the middle of the park - Lampard is anonymous in the middle third.

Anelka needs to go, not start. I'd put Kalou there until Sturridge is back from suspension. Either Drogba or Torres, both poor preseason and will hopefully be better from now on. No argument with Malouda playing.
As

Agreed. I love Nico and all but I think it's his time to go. With Lukaku on the verge of completing his move, I wouldnt be surprised if this happens in January. Esp if we can't bag a midfielder this month
Jack

I think we all would like to see Anelka sold, but it's just not going to happen. He's already stated he'll see out the last year of his contract, and any team would be mad to pay a fee for him right now and accept his absurd wages.
Peterscott

Sturrudge is suspended. Plus i think Benayoun will start
Dsa

Sturridge is suspended.
Jamesy60

Are you a chelsea fan?????????????????????...I think we all pretty well much know that Sturridge is on a 3 match ban!
Maybe anelka out on the right....
Jack

I'm sure we needed that hostility. So sorry I've been slammed and that slipped my mind. It's since been corrected.
ery

Dumb yank! Roman bandwagonner!
Jack

Poor sap. I see you liked your own comment, genius.