Before most table topping clashes, the anticipation and excitement is palpable. Pundits flock to assess the strength of each team, fans wax lyrical about their chances of success and the money spinning circus that is Sky TV usually has a part to play. However, due to the somewhat false representation of the summit of the Premier League, the hype surrounding our Saturday afternoon game against Swansea has been muted. The faltering starts made by the usual suspects means we lead the Premier League on 9 points from 3 games, an enviable position indeed. Swansea has always been an interesting one for us; we’ve enjoyed great success against them, beating them 4-1 at home in their maiden season in the Premier League. On the other hand, that infamous night in January sticks in the mind- Eden Hazard, ballboys, petulance… I’ll say no more.
Vital Quotes:
Mourinho on Costa-
‘As you know, Diego Costa came back injured, but that was last Saturday so we`ve had one week to work hard with the medical department. He has a chance to play tomorrow. We have a training session now to confirm his condition and to make a final decision, but he was the only one that came back from their national team with a problem.’
Mourinho on Gary Cahill-
‘Cahill is a very mature player and his profile as a professional and a player is always stable. He is obviously a central defender that England trust.’
Mourinho on our transfer policy-
‘I analysed the transfer situation early on, and after that my club did an amazing job getting the right players.’
Chelsea FC Team News:
The only real injury worries are Diego Costa’s hamstring strain and Eden Hazard’s Achilles problem.
Our back four will remain unchanged but will be looking to provide more solidarity after a pretty poor showing by Mourinho’s standards at Goodison Park.
Fabregas and Matic will once again anchor the midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fabregas playing a slightly more advanced role with the option to interchange with Oscar. This ghosting presence in the middle of the park is particularly difficult to track.
Schurrle returns from injury, with another successful stint in the German national side under his belt. He’s looked sharp so far this season and I’d like to see him add to his goal tally tomorrow. If Hazard is fit, he’ll play and his influence on the left midfield must be felt more through the duration of the match. He’s been fading in and out of matches too often this season but his contributions have still been excellent.
If Costa is fit, he will play. Mourinho will still have an eye on the midweek CL opener against FC Schalke but, in the modern day, form and confidence are so important for a top striker [take Fernando Torres for example]. To ensure Costa keeps hitting the back of the net, I think he will play if he has recovered from his hamstring problem. If not, expect to see Frenchman Loic Remy make his debut.
Player to watch: Branislav Ivanovic
The Serbian has become something of a cult hero at Stamford Bridge, contributing a plethora of important goals from a defensive berth over the years. He’s started the season superbly, suggesting that he’s improved his offensive style over the summer. His marauding nature was usually a hit and miss situation last season but Brana has been lethal down the right, contibuting two goals and a couple of assists.
Swansea City Team News:
Swansea striker Wilfried Bony will be checked before manager Garry Monk finalises selection as
Bony was part of the Ivory Coast side which lost an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Cameroon on Wednesday evening.
Midfielder Leon Britton has been ruled out for at least four more weeks with a knee injury.
Player to watch: Gylfi Sigurdsson
The Icelandic playmaker never really hit it off at Tottenham but has a nasty habit of scoring important and significant goals against us. He’s been instrumental in Swansea’s opening three games and this will be a big personal test for him; can he influence a match against some of the top teams in the world?
Match Facts & Stats
Ref Watch:
Kevin Friend
Officiated our League game against Aston Villa in August 2013, in which we emerged victorious by 2 goals to 1.
Match Prediction:
I can’t see us losing this one. We need to close the game out quickly, press the space and play the football that our midfielders are capable of orchestrating. We have one of the most potent attacking forces in the world and Swansea are the sort of team that will come and try and play football against us. It is great to see someone do that but it also plays into our hands- I think we’ll win this 3-1.
Next Fixtures:
Manchester City vs Chelsea FC
Swansea City vs Southampton