Latest Chelsea Team News + Predicted Starting XI To Play Stoke City

Chelsea entertain fellow Premier League outfit Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Blues eased into this stage of the competition thanks to a 2-0 win over Derby County in the third round but will likely face a sterner test this weekend against Mark Hughes’ Stoke team.

Jose Mourinho confirmed this afternoon that striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a knee injured picked up during last weeks 3-1 win over Manchester United.

This could see Demba Ba given a chance to impress with Mourinho declaring ‘it’s time for Demba’ at his pre-match press conference. However, the Portuguese coach may find it difficult to leave out Samuel Eto’o after his excellent hat-trick last week.

New signing Nemanja Matic made a late substitute appearance against United and is expected to start this weekend while Frank Lampard should also return to the starting eleven.

Jose is likely to rest Petr Cech, Cesar Azpilicueta and John Terry meaning Mark Schwarzer, Ashely Cole and David Luiz could come in while Branislav Ivanovic should retain his place after returning from injury last time out.

Eden Hazard and Oscar are two others who get be given a breather if Mourinho opts to rest more of his first team ahead of Wednesday’s clash against West Ham.

Here’s our predicted starting line-up:

What do you think of our team? What line-up would you go with? Share your suggestions below.

13 Comments

1. 

   Abayomi

   January 25, 2014 at 12:53 am

   Chelsea should try to buy Huik

   Reply
2. 

   Richard Tommy

   January 25, 2014 at 1:12 am

   Instead of buying HULK, we should go for JACKSON MARTINEZ of FC PORTO. Hulk may not fit into MOURINHO plan and he isn’t of the class he used to be.

   Reply
   • 

     Bukky

     January 25, 2014 at 6:00 am

     Diego coster is good player more than hulk go for coster

     Reply
3. 

   roman

   January 25, 2014 at 2:15 am

   Hulk is brazilian and at 27 he’s almost retired junk!

   Reply
4. 

   Cornel

   January 25, 2014 at 4:49 am

   Go for diego costa instead of huik

   Reply
5. 

   Bukky

   January 25, 2014 at 6:01 am

   Buy diego coster not hulk

   Reply
6. 

   odedara peter

   January 25, 2014 at 9:57 am

   Chelsea shud go for jackson martinez or wayne rooney.morinho shud also go for a midfieda

   Reply
7. 

   figer mecie

   January 25, 2014 at 9:59 am

   Briliant line up, up there’ nt goin to worry abwt mikil he has his ways of hangin in there too watch this guys slip off his done wth many,makalala. ,ballack,romalo,essian, matic ur next

   Reply
8. 

   berhane

   January 25, 2014 at 12:03 pm

   i don’t think he is better than podolisk. if it is good don’t put pod with z money.

   Reply
9. 

   Chizzyblue

   January 25, 2014 at 12:39 pm

   Chelsea shud go for costa instead of hulk…

   Reply
10. 

    akinola james

    January 25, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Mourinho should look 4 gud striker instead of buying midfielder

    Reply
11. 

    mba ogban

    January 25, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    I like Chelsea to buy Salah

    Reply
12. 

    mba ogban

    January 25, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    If diego costa is a target mouriho let him buy costa because is a good striker

    Reply