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
Akeretough
September 9, 2011 at 10:43 am
up blues…I think chelsea team are going to perform well these season even in the absent of drogba,only to have high winning focus……
Babatunde yusuf
September 9, 2011 at 10:48 am
Up chelsea
Moses adu
September 9, 2011 at 11:08 am
With all this line up sunderland wil tak 4-1
afam
September 9, 2011 at 11:41 am
i love to see raul coming in the second half and probably start the next game
Abiola
September 9, 2011 at 12:15 pm
I luv chelsea
don
September 9, 2011 at 12:24 pm
up blues,let d avb convert bosingwa to a right winger
yax
September 9, 2011 at 1:02 pm
have you ever seen an avb line up without mikel?up blues wishing us victory
majok
September 9, 2011 at 1:02 pm
chelsea should focus on on player Ramires though some solid midfielders re available instea of having that bad dream of droping him
mwas
September 9, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Thats a smart line up for chelsea,although I feel lampard should be substituted for mirellis. He is not in a better form.
kaka
September 9, 2011 at 1:53 pm
I would like to see sturridge in place of malouda and if possible meiriless in place of lampard.
Bassey Eyo Effiong
September 9, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Up blue, please I support d last comment by Kaka .
tunde
September 9, 2011 at 2:46 pm
why mikel is on the bench now
omojola
September 9, 2011 at 2:56 pm
this is the first time of seein mikel on the bench this season
bloody
September 9, 2011 at 2:58 pm
tell me why lampard is starting tomorrow
Manase Adigun
September 9, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Wishing chelsea goodluck,4-1
Herbert
September 9, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Villas pls let sturridge & mata
Obama
September 10, 2011 at 1:17 am
Chelsea will devour sunderland 5-1
Chiioke
September 10, 2011 at 9:27 am
Is bad for mikel to be in subtitude
Wilson a.k.a suckxy
September 10, 2011 at 9:49 am
Chelsea will flop dis season and will sell villa boas’ thats a tradition……..just watch out……
modric
September 10, 2011 at 12:54 pm
even if lampard is a legend at chelsea… we,chelsea fans want to see mireiles in his place……plz……
Fran
September 10, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Speak for yourselves. I love Lampard and I want HIM to start. Give the guy a chance, can always sub him if he needs it. Seems like you wanna knock the last bit of self confidence out of him. I feel a lot better with him taking any penalties we get given, thanks. I’d take off Torres for Sturridge though, for shizzle.
james
September 10, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Ramires want some boost u…………………… give him something to eat………
young
September 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Cech, Terry, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Cole, raul, Juan Mata, Malouda, Ramires, Torres, lukaku…… avb try this up… wa want a speed and tricky player at the mid>>>>>>>>
Amoo
September 10, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Goodluck chelsea