I may be a little early with this piece bearing in mind that Felipe Anderson is still a couple of days away and according to the manager there could well be more players arriving at the club.
But with five new faces on board it’s an interesting exercise to trying working out the sort of team we could see lining up at Liverpool on our opening day.
The only certain aspect of the manager’s team planning as a rule is that he likes two up top – positions which look certain to be filled by Arnie and Chicharito.
Elsewhere, the likes of Pedro Obiang, Mark Noble, Cheik Kouyate, Arthur Masuaku and even Zaba may find themselves out in the cold as the competition for places looks seriously hot.
Yarmelenko looks likely to go down the left with Anderson right but central midfield begs some questions where Declan Rice may find himself involved as I’m not sure the manager will trust 21 year old Diop and teenager Dec at the heart of defence as a regular partnership. We’ll see.
My preferred team is short on a ball winner in the middle of the park so should Nobes, Cheik or Pedro find themselves involved I’m not going to be unduly surprised unless of course somebody else who has yet to arrive is in the manager’s mind.
This could be the team which would see only five of last year’s starters involved. SEND US YOUR TEAMS!
4-4-2: Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Anderson, Rice, Wilshere, Yarmolenko; Arnautovic, Chicharito.
whichever way I look at it I can’t see pellegrini replacing experienced campaigner and club captain noble. Noble is an excellent passer of the ball. I think noble will fit in perfectly with the pellegrini style of play and will thrive on having other decent footballers around him.
Sorry Clive do not agree at all. Pellegrini likes pace and Noble doesn’t have any. You have Wilshere in there who is a great passer, so it will depend on whether they bring in another midfielder but more of a holding one but Nobles days are looking numbered for me. Balbuena once signed will start alongside Diop for me. Apart from him and Anderson I think there will be a couple of more signings on top, in midfield and up front.
Would like to see Anderson and Yarmolenko competing for the right side and Antonio and Masuaku competing for the left. Let’s not forget Antonio’s preferred side is actually the left.
I hope we hurry up and get the deal done with Anderson because Chelsea are starting to mobilise with a new Italian coach from Napoli sniffing around looking for new signings. Don’t want to be gazumped.
Arnie has all the attributes to play up top on his own and will score more with better service this year.
Fabianski
Fredericks Diop Ogbonna Cressswell
Noble Wilshere
Anderson (Barkley/Loftus-Cheek Loan) Yarmalenko
Arnie
What about Adrian, Masuaku, Balbuena, Diop, Fredericks, Anderson, Obiang, Wilshere, Yarmalenko, Hernandez and Arnautovic ? It is possible of course that against Liverpool away he will play only one striker Arnie in which case Noble or Rice can slot in alongside Obiang, the left back position still looks a concern to me but hopefully he will figure that out maybe playing 3 at the back…
Yes Hugh ; very early days . But I feel the omission of Noble , Antonio & Masuaku is a little premature . Noble still has a holding role to play whilst the pace and strength of both Antonio & Masuaku shouldn’t be ignored . Don’t disagree with the team sheet though , as it demonstrates our diversity and options .
Pelle wants pace in his teams so I think this will be his line up asuming we sign Balbuena.
FABIANSKI /
FREDERICKS / BALBUENA / DIOP / MASUAKU /
ANDERSON / WILSHERE / RICE / YARMALENKO /
ARNAUTAVIC / HERNANDEZ
Subs: ADRIAN / ZABALETA / OGBONNA / CRESSWELL / OBIANG / FERNANDES / a.n.other ( Forward yet to be signed ) ( maybe BALOTELLI ? )
My preferred position for Antonio is out of the treatment room. Yarmolenko is a vastly superior player to Masuaku so can’t see the point of him bench warming. Can’t really see Antonio walking straight back in after such a long injury lay off. Think he’ll be filtered in gradually. Let’s hope he’s over his problems. COYI.