After a two week long break, its back to the English Premier League and next up is Sunderland at Stadium Of Light for Chelsea. Both teams haven’t had the best of the starts to this season’s Premiership action, with Chelsea scrapping to victories in their last two matches and Sunderland with zero points from the three games they have played so far.
Where should I start… the two week break was something I guess everyone was looking for (except the fans) after the intense drama unfolding during the last day of the transfer window. Players coming in and going out for both Chelsea and Sunderland.
Chelsea brought in Raul Meireles right on the brink of transfer day deadline. And as everyone is, even Meireles expressed his shock (a pleasant one) over the move from Liverpool right at last minute.
Another deadline move saw player hungry Arsenal taking Yossi Benayoun on loan. Yossi already has tweeted that he was on the brink of leaving Chelsea but his move to Arsenal did shock some fans (including me).
Gael Kakuta snubbed Fulham and joined Bolton on loan (Daniel Sturridge’s resurgence at Bolton could be the main factor). Patrick van Aanholt joined Wigan on loan as well, and Martinez has got himself a great player to work with this season.
Sunderland also made some moves during the last day of transfer period signing Arsenal’s Bendtner on loan with QPR signing Anton Ferdinand on a three year deal.
Chelsea Team News
With the signing of Juan Mata, Raul Meireles and Oriol Romeu Chelsea have strengthened their midfield and now have some good options as well. Romelu Lukaku also is another option for Chelsea upfront. All these new signings are available for the match against Sunderland.
David Luiz is back in training and could make it to the bench but the Brazilian will have to wait for some more time according to Andre Villas Boas. Petr Cech is still injured but has shown speedy recovery, this means Hilario will play in front of goal. Didier Drogba wont be rushed in after suffering a concussion against Norwich after falling awkwardly. Essien is the only long term absentee for Chelsea.
Nicolas Anelka could partner Torres up-front given the strikers goal scoring streak against the Black Cats, having scored seven goals in last five games against them.
Sunderland Team News
Nicolas Bendtner, Sunderland’s new signing on loan from Arsenal would definitely feature in this game. With Ferdinand going to QPR and John Ohea still injured Sunderland will look to Titus Bramble to handle the central defensive area.
Sunderland could also have their new signings Craig Gardner and Seb Larsson featuring against Chelsea in the midfield area. Asamoah Gyan, Bendtner and Sessengnon could be part of two men up front for Sunderland.
Probable Team Line-ups:
Sunderland (4-4-2): Mignolet, Brown, Bramble, Richardson, Bardsley, Cattermole, Gardner, Larsson, Bendtner, Gyan, Sessengnon.
Chelsea (4-3-3) : Cech, Terry, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Cole, Lampard, Juan Mata, Malouda, Ramires, Torres, Anleka
Submitted by Chelsea FC News
