Straight into the semi’s for this one against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal Riyadh - the AFC Champions League winners. Can’t say I know anything about these guys but I can see they have former Watford and United legend Ighalo and the ex-WBA player Matheus Pereira in their starting XI. I wouldn’t rule anything out with the way we’re playing without James and Chilwell (along with Lukaku starting every game) but surely we should be expecting a comfortable win here. The winners of this will meet either Al Ahly (Egypt, CAF Champions League winners) or Palmeiras (Brazil, Copa Libertadores Champions) in the final on Saturday. Good chance both Tuchel and Mendy will miss this one.
I hope that Chelsea wins this one and extends the European dominance here. Since 2000 when they began to call it this way (before that it was only the winner of the European CL( European Cup) vs the winner of South Americas Copa Libertadores (?) ) , the European clubs won 13 of the 17 titles and the South American clubs won only 4 (last winner was in 2012, Corinthians). And no clubs from the other confederations won it. edit: Just checked it again, South American clubs won the first 3 of it (2000, 2005, 2006, from 2001-2005 it wasn't played, and since then only the 2012 one, the rest was all won by European clubs) tbh I still don't know why they extended the format (ok, Money would be one reason, I assume). Anyway, I'll watch the semi-finals as they're shown in German Free TV and at an ok time to watch. So, Chelsea, win this one.
And guess which European team lost in that final to Corinthians in 2012…? I’m not going to lie, I will not be happy if we waste this chance again.
Not having this myth that Ziyech is starting to look more like the player he was at Ajax lately. He just looks better compared to how shit he’s been for us. Still awfully average.
He’s a million miles off the “generational talent” we were told he was when we signed him. Needs to turn his Chelsea career around a fair bit from here on.
He just looks good because the rest are cr*p…… Even Kante looks off the pace. I know he has been out injured a lot this season. Jorginho seemed the only one capable of controlling the ball. we seem to lack ideas all over the pitch… against a better team we could have lost quite easily
Hoping Mendy is in goal for this massive match. Kepa has been playing very well and is the best keeper for pen's, but you have to play your best team in a match like this. Since the club introduced playing the reserve keeper in cup competitions such as the FA cup, they have lost 3 out of their last 4 FA cup finals. Before that they had won 4 out of 4.
Disagree. I've been critical of Kepa but he's been in good form during this run. He's deserved a start. Where I wouldn't start Kepa is the League cup final. Liverpool more than anyone know how weak he is at long shots.
Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Kante, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi; Mount, Havertz, Lukaku. #CFC #ClubWC
