Mourinho To Make 6 Changes vs Maccabi: Terry & Costa Among Those Set For Chop

Jose Mourinho is set to ring the changes for tonight’s Champions League group stage clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv with John Terry and Diego Costa among those facing the chop, according to the Mirror.

The Blues have endured a terrible start to the season having picked up just four points from their opening five league games while they also lost to Arsenal in the Community Shield last month.

Uncharacteristically, Chelsea have been leaking goals while several of their attacking players have failed to replicate their best form and Mourinho confirmed at his pre-match press conference yesterday that he’ll make some changes for tonight’s game.

“I know what you will say.

“If I leave out Azpilicueta, it’s because I have a problem with him. Same with Terry. Same with Fabregas. I know the consequences.

“But I cannot be worried about what you say or write. I have to be just worried about my team and players.

“Yes, I will make a couple of changes because I have to try a different dynamic, I have to try a couple of different faces, and to give chances to people who have not been playing but have been working hard.” Mourinho is quoted as saying by the Mirror

The Mirror claim that the Portuguese coach is set to make sweeping changes to his line-up with John Terry, Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic all in the firing line.

The paper suggests that Gary Cahill will be recalled in place of Terry, summer signing Baba Rahman will make his first start at left-back with Cesar Azpilicueta moving to right-back, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set to replace Matic in midfield while Loic Remy is expected to be given a chance up front.

With Oscar also set to return following injury and Willian likely to replace Pedro – who’s a doubt with a muscle problem – it means Mourinho is set to make six changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Everton on Saturday afternoon.

The Mirror say Chelsea’s likely line-up will be:

Begovic; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Rahman; Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Remy.

It would certainly be a bold move by Mourinho to leave out the likes of Terry, Ivanovic, Matic and Costa but he’s got to try something as it simply isn’t working for the Blues right now.

I’m sure the Chelsea boss may also have one eye on Saturday’s huge clash with Arsenal but leaving out such established players tonight should give them a kick up the backside.

We’ll have to wait and see if the Mirror’s prediction is accurate but if Mourinho does make wholesale changes then fans will be praying it doesn’t backfire as defeat at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv is the last thing they need after such a poor start to the season.