Chelsea vs. Sporting: 3 Things the Blues Should Test in UCL Game
Following Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday, the unbeaten, invincible talk has graciously ceased.
Now the discussion is what it should have been from the Blues' opening kick in August: Will Chelsea win a trophy in 2014/15?
Jose Mourinho's side have four competitions to place their hands on silverware but only one has eluded the Portuguese manager in his time at Stamford Bridge. Close to the Champions League final in 2004/05 during his first spell, the Blues fell victim to Rafa Benitez's Liverpool in the UCL semi-final. Last season the same result befell Mourinho's Chelsea, losing in the semi-final to Atletico Madrid.
Already securing the top spot in Group G, the west Londoners have very little to play for on Wednesday night vs. Sporting CP, so what might Chelsea ask themselves/accomplish other than resting key players for the up-coming holiday stretch?
Glad you asked...
Can Chelsea's Youth Talent Produce a Result?
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Jose Mourinho has a decision to make vs. Sporting: He can attempt to rebuild his team's confidence after their weekend banana skin, by playing a stronger side, or he can choose to rest his main starting XI and play a weaker side.
In option No. 2, Mourinho has six young players available who many think will be around Stamford Bridge for years to come: Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake, Lewis Baker, Andreas Christensen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dom Solanke.
There are others on loan who may have Chelsea futures, but for the young players already in-house, they may get their chance at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
"Preferred #CFC Starting XI vs. Sporting Lisbon—should everyone be match fit. *Start Loïc Rémy, end w/ Dom Solanke. pic.twitter.com/pAoQ3qgssv
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) December 7, 2014"
Giving guidance with Petr Cech, Filipe Luis, Andre Schurrle, Ramires and Loic Remy, there seems every chance for the Portuguese manager to play his starlets alongside experienced veterans.
With no real reason to risk his best XI for the sixth time in 18 days, trusting Chelsea's kids to get a result would been an appealing maturation in Mourinho's Stamford Bridge project.
Can Chelsea Cope Without Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas?
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Nemanja Matic received his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season vs. Tottenham last Wednesday, and found himself suspended from Jose Mourinho's 18-man squad which travelled to Tyneside on Saturday.
Replacing the Serbian was John Obi Mikel, who paired with Cesc Fabregas in the double pivot. Chelsea's creative midfield engine was on four yellow cards at St. James' Park and was given his fifth of the season by Martin Atkinson; the Spanish international will miss Chelsea's game vs. Hull City on Saturday.
"When can I start saying Chelsea are undefeated when Nemanja Matić plays? Lol.
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) December 6, 2014"
Mourinho could rest both of his first-choice holding midfielders vs. Sporting, and should take advantage of the opportunity. Matic is an automatic selection vs. Hull, so his omission from the game seems likely, but Fabregas could see another match. That said, having already played multiple games in the past few weeks, a lengthy break looks enticing.
There is parity in choosing between Ramires and Mikel in the Champions League, but if the Brazilian is fit, getting him a glorified training session would do wonders. Mikel should be saved for the Premier League, as—despite popular opinion—the Nigerian did not look entirely out of place vs. Newcastle.
What was glaring, however, was the difference in class between Matic and his back-up options; in conjunction with our first test, Mourinho may look to the Chelsea Academy and find Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a similar, long-term replacement for Matic; debuting the talented youngster seems advantageous, especially considering impending fixtures.
Is Mohamed Salah Worth Keeping or Loaning Come January?
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Bought for £11 million in January—as a replacement for Juan Mata—Mohamed Salah has appeared in 16 games for Chelsea since his arrival. While not a porous tally, many have been cameos of the late-substitute variety. An immediate choice for former club FC Basel and Egypt, playing a bit-part role for Chelsea must feel awfully demeaning.
According to the Daily Star's Paul Brown, Salah is interested in going on loan come January—following in the footsteps of many Chelsea hopefuls who have gone before him.
Only starting in the Capital One Cup this season, the "Egyptian Messi" will certainly be hoping for an opportunity to impress his current club, and clubs watching around the world interested in loaning his services, before the winter's transfer window.
Chelsea have a league cup tie against Derby County on 16 December, so Salah might get another bite at the apple but—already behind Andre Schurrle and Ramires in the back-up-winger pecking order—his in-game opportunities to impress Jose Mourinho this season are rapidly thinning.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via soccerbase.com where not noted.
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