We will finally have some Chelsea football this weekend. The English Premier League season opener is upon us, The Community Shield. While, it is only a friendly and a win/loose means nothing, starting off with a win is always good for the morale. A long season awaits Chelsea.
The European Champions, yes, that is Chelsea. Believe it or not. We may have parked the bus or been anti-football, but we are the 2012 European Champions.
European Champions take on the English League Champions. Pretty neat, isn’t it.
Manchester City, in no doubt, start the favorites. However, lack of motivation, will not affect Chelsea and they will look to start off the season on a positive note after the disappointing pre-season tour.
Lets have a look at the possible starting XI for Chelsea, courtesy of Sky Sports
Chelsea Possible Starting XI
Although, I’ve set up a 4-1-2-3 formation, going by the game against Brighton, RDM could be looking to set up a 4-3-3. It didn’t go well against Brighton.
Another possibility is, for RDM to stick to his preferred 4-2-3-1. If that is the case, Meireles could play in the hole behind Torres. Meireles has been tried in that position during the pre-season games. He wasn’t very effective in that role. However, his performance levels could go up against City.
Something to keep in mind, Ramires and Luiz have been picked to play for Brazil against Sweden in a friendly to be held on August 15. As a result, RDM may not play them for the entire 90 minutes.
Marin is out with an injury. There are rumors that Marin is suffering a hamstring injury. If that is the case, then it is a big blow. He could be out for a minimum of two weeks.
Oscar will be unavailable as well. He is yet to join the squad after his transfer from Internacional, as he is representing Brazil at the Olympics.
I’m expecting a lot of substitutions in this game. Mata, Romeu, Bertrand, Sturridge, Ferriera, Luiz, Essien, Benayoun, Malouda, Turnbull have been named in the Chelsea provisional squad. They all could get a look in during the second half.
Notable absentee: Lukaku. A loan deal has already been worked out, probably ?
It will be an entertaining game. Win or loose, I’m hoping for an attacking game of football from The Blues. If the team can show some positive signs in terms of ‘gelling together’ I would be happy. However, I’m also expecting RDM to try a few more tricks against City. With at least 2 more games to be played against them, some more experimentation will not be a bad idea.
Chelsea Teams news for the Community Shield ~ ChelseaFC.com
Teams news for the Community Shield, Chelsea Vs Manchester City ~ Sky Ssports
Teams news for the Community Shield, Chelsea Vs Manchester City ~ BBC
Comments on: "Chelsea Possible Starting XI for Community Shield" (31)
Nice team list though but Meireless have no place in that team as far as I’m concerned because of his inconsistency. Mata would be fit in instead.
id rather go for 4-2-3-1 with torres upfront hazard,mata,ramires then obi and romuel we must entertain
Mata in Ramires position and Ramired to replace Mireles.I think that is better nd perfect.
Blues for life !
Could see that in the second half
Blue is d colour. Chelsea 4 life
Dat team is absolute nonzenze bcoz of meireles i prefer piazon if we rdm cant start mata……..rubbish selection sell him
for me I would prefer 4-2-3-1. Ivanovic-Terry-Luiz-Cole…………………….Lampard-mikel………Sturidge-Hazard-Mata……………..Torres.
Sturridge behind Torres. That is interesting.
Y not use piazon behind torres in a 4231 formatn instead of meireles. Piazon is quick and has a great touch on d ball
Good point. Maybe RDM thinks Piazon is not ready for EPL yet.
Let’s xperiment wit piazon bhind torres. He cn even switch wit hazard bt meireles cant
If we dnt giv youths like piazon, kane and hutchinson deir chance, hw do we knw if dy r ready or not. If bertrand wasn’t given epl game time, he wudn’t b d playa he is 2day
They were tried in the pre season. So RDM should have an idea on their readiness.
Let’s giv dose youngsters a chance
Lukaku has joined westbrom on loan.
Yes. It was updated in another post. Thank you for the info. ☺
WE DON’T NEED CALL ME BACK, SO MIKEL SHOULD BE OMITTED AND REPLACE ESSIEN OR ROMEU , TALENTED PIAZON SHOULD REPLACE RAMIRES AND RAMIRES TAKE THE LEAD OF MEREILES. SELL THAT CALL ME BACK MIKEL.
Mikel is the best defensive mildfied chelsea has,so think before u talk…
for me i think the information is ok
Mikel is the best Defensive mildfield chelsea has,The formation is ok
chelsea al d way
Obi is chelsea’s best dm player,… Everyone is always quite relaxed when we see him mark.. So dont analyse players if you dont know their duty. Meanwhile, dere’s no way Meireless nor Piazon will make d team, Piazon is good but still unexperienced and weak(cant pass-by Yaya)… Meireless not d@ good again. But since Marin is injured and Mata might be seen has not perfectly fit, i think it could be Benayoun there, he does have the flair but his strength and age is another problem…. But whoever it is, they will deliver… God bless the blues, and PRAY FOR A WIN(it boosts morale)
You are right. Piazon is not ready for senior team.
The formation is okay but needs a little touch. Ramiress excelled in dat position last but we have loads of wingers to choose from this season. I understand that marin is out injured and mata and sturidge can’t start because of there spell in the olympics. But RDM can try ramiress in the wing cos he haven’t got lots of option now but when the season starts he should be playing deeper in the midfield alongside mikel and mireless in lampards position and allow mata/oscar as no 10 and marin/sturidge as no 7, harzard 11 and toress 9. That’s how I think it should be.
I think you pretty much covered the entire season. ☺ It would be interesting to see the set up if and when new players are added.
I really like d squad bt mata should be included in d expense of meireles
Mata could be a second half sub. He has been non-stop since last season.
I think we should use d 4 2 3 1 formation, cole,Terry,Luis,Ivan, mikel & lampard,den Hazard,mata &Ramires,Torres at d front. Up blues!
Mata could be given some rest and may feature in 2nd half
i prefer 4-2-1-3 Cech, Ivanovic, D.Luiz, Terry, A.Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Hazard, Ramires, Torres Substitution Ramires out Essien in Lampard out Benayoun in Terry out Cahil in that all for me I Mr Melody Maker by name
Once they kick off the team could set up in a 4-2-3-1. I was hoping for 4-1-2-3 as I wasn’t comfortable with Raul in the hole