Matic To Start From The Bench: Chelsea’s Strongest line-up To Play Against Manchester United

Chelsea play their first game at home in the new year as they host fierce rivals Manchester United is what is surely going to be the game of the weekend. Jose Mourinho’s side could go twelve points clear of the Red Devils if they claim full points on Sunday which would make it further hard for David Moyes and co, who are struggling to stay in the race for a top four finish.

The Blues have an astonishing record at home under Mourinho, with seventy games unbeaten for the Portuguese, who will be looking to continue their juggernaut to lay claims for the Premier League title come next May. So what will be Chelsea’s strongest line up against David Moyes’ outfit? We here at Soccersouls provide our readers with the Blues best possible line up.   

Goalkeeping:

Peter Cech will be a less worried man than his counterpart David De Gea, as the Czech International will not be facing either of Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie, both missing out the feisty encounter thanks to injuries. With Danny Welbeck scoring instinctive goals and Adnan Januzaj showing maturity with every passing game, Cech however will have to be very alert to crosses from either flanks and long range shooting from distance.

Defence:

Branislav Ivanovic’s absence from the squad means Cesar Azpilicueta will  start in the right back slot with Ashley Cole playing on the left side. The Spaniard and the Englishman will barge forward on every occasion they can to harass the United defence, which can very much wilt under pressure. Gary Cahill will again start with John Terry in the heart of the Chelsea defence as they seek to keep yet another clean sheet.

Quoted by the club’s official website, Mourinho said:

“Frank Lampard has been training all week with the team. Branislav Ivanovic hasn’t had one single training session. Today he will, I don’t believe he can play, but Lampard I think he can.”

Midfield:

New signing and former boy Nemanja Matic will perhaps straight walk into Chelsea’s defensive midfield role ahead and that too ahead of the man he was made a makeshift deal for two years ago, David Luiz. However, Mourinho has confirmed that Matic will not start the game as he feels he has to show respect to his other consistent performers.

Frank Lampard is a huge doubt, which leaves Ramires and Mikel as the only option for the Blues to do the dirty work. (However if Lampard proves his fitness before the game, he might very well start the game). Juan Mata might not be named again in the starting eleven as Brazilian Oscar is expected to fill in the number ten role alongside Belgian Eden Hazard, who simply can’t stop scoring currently. Another Brazilian Willian will play on the left flank as Mourinho will look to put the away side under pressure right from the whistle. The triumvirate will look to provide cutting balls up front to the lone striker in between United’s defence and looking to create spaces by dragging the defenders out of position.

Strikeforce:

Mourinho is expected to persist Fernando Torres as his lone striker leading the line, the Spaniard who is looking energised albeit his growing confidence in recent weeks. Even though the former Liverpool man hasn’t scored enough, Torres’ imperious movements still proves there is still the player which lurks inside him, that was at Anfield. Samuel Eto’o might be introduced late in the game if Mourinho looks to go for the jugular in the last twenty minutes, if needed.