Chelsea haven’t been the scary unit that they were before the turn of the year. In the first few months of the season their speed of play was frightening and they looked as if they could take Europe by storm as they trapped opponents in their penalty area and toyed with them like a mean cat with a groggy and hopeless little mouse.
But The Premier League is a marathon not a sprint and, in the second half of the season they have showed the more stoical qualities required to win a title. The game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last weekend demonstrated with great clarity that, while they may be a little off-peak up top, Chelsea have one of the best defences in Europe. That is, of course, to be expected for Mr.Mourinho who seems to prepare his back line better than most of his peers.
They will face a similar challenge against Arsenal this weekend but the game is of course at The Emirates so it may be even more of a backs to the wall job.
In his press conference on Friday afternoon Jose said of Chelsea’s injury list:
“Diego Costa is nearly there. If not Arsenal then Leicester. We are coping for the difficulties of every match without him. The team is playing in a different way but we are doing our job. We are more strategic and less artistic but are getting results.
“I would love Diego to be back but I trust the other people. [Dominic] Solanki did not play yesterday with the U21s to be ready if we need him.”
Cryptic as ever from the Chelsea boss. We wouldn’t be at all surprised if Costa does make the game. But, after coming back too early last time, perhaps Mourinho will be more patient. That said, this game represents Chelsea’s toughest remaining taks so we may see him on the bench.
Even though Mourinho talks up the prospect of starting Solanki, we think that one of his senior strikers will make the game.
Of his three main strikers he said:
He says: “Didier, for sure is good. Remy, not for sure. Diego, let’s make a decision tomorrow.
So here is our stab at the team with that cryptic conference in mind.
