Newcastle vs. Chelsea: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Premier League Game
Over 35 percent of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign has evaporated and Chelsea are currently atop the table—taking 36 points from a possible 42. There is no better place for the Blues to be heading into December's annual meat grinder.
"#CFC's #EPL December Fixtures 3rd: Tottenham—W 6th: Newcastle (A) 13th: Hull (H) 22nd: Stoke (A) 26th: West Ham (H) 28th: Southampton (A)
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) December 3, 2014"
Jose Mourinho, in his post-game commentary after Wednesday's win over Tottenham Hotspur, said Sunderland played a "World Cup final" last weekend at the Stadium of Light; now facing the second variable of the Tyne-Wear derby, Chelsea will again face stern competition vs. Newcastle United.
After starting the season with four points from their first seven games, the Magpies have rallied—taking 16 points from their last seven Premier League fixtures; by comparison, Chelsea have garnered 17 points over the same time frame.
This is leading to an interesting clash on Tyneside this Saturday.
Injuries and Suspensions
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Following in the footsteps of Diego Costa on Wednesday, Nemanja Matic will be out of Chelsea's 18-man squad vs. Newcaslte due to yellow-card accumulation; but having appeared in every game of Chelsea's campaign, to date, a rest is probably in order for the Serbian international.
One of Matic's possible replacements in Chelsea's double pivot would be Ramires, but the Brazilian has been hampered with a thigh injury, via his official Instagram account. Jose Mourinho has John Obi Mikel, plus the untested Nathan Ake and Lewis Baker, as tertiary midfield options—should Ramires be unavailable for Saturday's match.
Newcastle dynamo, Moussa Sissoko, is likely to regain his place in Alan Pardew's midfield after being suspended midweek vs. Burnley—so whoever Mourinho elects to pair with Cesc Fabregas will have his hands full.
Squad Rotation
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Chelsea have played virtually the same starting XI in four consecutive matches, the only change being Didier Drogba for Diego Costa vs. Tottenham. Jose Mourinho, knowing his next match vs. Sporting in the Champions League has no value in terms of progression or seeding, may elect to play his first-choice XI against Newcastle, then rest his preferred options next week.
That said, the strain of playing three, high-strung matches in seven days could wear on his team in the latter stages of December.
Giving Andre Schurrle and Filipe Luis an opportunity to play at St. James' Park—resting Willian and Branislav Ivanovic/Cesar Azpilicueta—gives Mourinho the option of playing Chelsea's youth products and a few veterans in the final Champions League group-stage match, while resting crucial players.
The Portuguese manager has a delicate balancing act to perform over the next month—we shall see if he wobbles on his high wire.
Formations
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As Nemanja Matic will be absent, and Ramires' health is in doubt, Jose Mourinho could flirt with a formation change.
The obvious solution is inserting John Obi Mikel into midfield and playing 4-2-3-1, but asking Mikel to replace arguably the best defensive midfielder in the EPL is a tough request. Cesc Fabregas will need help in midfield, so the next best option is playing 4-3-3, while asking Chelsea's wingers to track back ferociously.
Newcastle are likely to take the "Sunderland approach," sitting back, soaking pressure and trying to counter. As a response, Mourinho may play his full-backs wide to provide width; in doing so Chelsea's centre-backs will be on relative islands, and with no Matic as cover, there may be a need for an extra body deeper.
Look for Oscar to be given a more box-to-box role, should Mourinho elect the 4-3-3.
Alan Pardew's best chance is 4-5-1. The aim being to frustrate Chelsea into recklessness, have the Blues bomb forward looking to score, lose their defensive perspective, then pounce on the break.
All easier said than done, it must be noted.
St. James' Park
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Since Newcastle United's return to Premier League football in 2011-12, Chelsea have made three trips to St. James' Park, they have taken just four points.
Jose Mourinho may find solace in the fact one goalscorer from last season's 2-0 loss will likely be on his bench; Loic Remy's 2013/14 loan spell at Newcastle made the French international a hot commodity this summer, Chelsea came away with the striker's signature for £8.5 million.
The Frenchman will certainly know St. James' Park is one of England's most formidable grounds, and it houses some of the more passionate fans in the Premier League. Chelsea will need to take control of the match early in an attempt to neutralise—or at the very least simmer down—the boisterous Geordies.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via soccerbase.com where not noted.
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