Chelsea and Andre Villas Boas secured their first win of the 2011-12 EPL campaign by defeating West Brom 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Norwich City on the other hand had to settle with 1-1 draw at home against Stoke.
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea manager did confirm that David Luiz wont feature in this tie as he is still recovering from his injury but has returned to full training on Thursday morning.
Andre Villas Boas also confirmed that our new signing Juan Mata who completed his move to Chelsea a few days ago could also feature (probably on the bench), but chances of him starting are very slim considering the fact that he only had a few days of training with the team.
As for the rest of the team, leaving Micheal Essien and Petr Cech everyone is fit to be picked in the starting line-up for today’s game against Norwich City.
Norwich City Team News
Norwich who made 11 changes to the team that drew with Stoke for their Carling Cup clash with MK Dons, have their injury concerns as well with midfielder Wes Hoolahan coming off with a hamstring concern and defender Daniel Ayala injuring his knee. However Norwich Boss Paul Lambert will definitely put up his best starting XI against Chelsea.
Predictable Team Line-ups:
Chelsea: Hilario; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Lampard; Drogba, Torres, Malouda.
Norwich City: Ruddy; De Laet, Ayala, Tierney, Naughton; Crofts, Johnson, Bennett, Pllkington; Martin, Holt
Andre Villas Boas on Juan Mata and David Luiz
“It is too early. This league is very specific in terms of intensity and emotionally and culturally. It doesn’t mean he (Juan Mata) is not threatening the starting 11 but two training sessions is short for playing and creating new relationships with the players, so we will assess tomorrow. Tomorrow is the decisive day for the strategic part of our game and we will decide tomorrow.”
“David Luiz is coming back to full training, today he had a full intensity training. It will be too early for him but he is selected for Brazil and I am going to let him go to add a couple of minutes.”
Andre Villas Boas on Chelsea’s team news:
“On other fronts there is nothing special. Petr has made a tremendous recovery and is looking good for after the international break, and Essien is long-term. Everybody is up for selection. At the moment the funny thing is we are on full weeks running into a game, then when the transfer window finishes we have two games a week. It seems now we went into a pattern of the 18 and 11 but it doesn’t mean changes won’t happen after.”
Submitted by Chelsea FC News
