‘A Blue Up North’ has a look ahead to Chelsea’s match against Stoke…
“They won’t like it you know” used to be the common belief, “away at Stoke on a cold winter’s evening”. Of course the accusation was mostly aimed at newly acquired top name continental and South American players. The belief was they were too used to playing tippy tippy football in pleasant, warm conditions and that they would find all the in-your-face robustness of the gritty English teams would come as a shock to them.
Although there is still evidence in support of this, things have altered over the last few years. Yes we can look at Arsenal’s generally poor record there and that in Stoke’s last home league match they battled to a deserved 2-2 against the all conquering Manchester United. However, Stoke only have 1 win in their last 10 encounters with ‘the big six’ and that was against the aforementioned Gunners. Also Chelsea have beaten Stoke more than any other side in Premier League history.
So while the statistics can spin us around in all directions, Antonio Conte will do well to heed the old saying. We should expect to see the likes of Rudiger, Bakayoko (road accidents permitting), Alonso and possibly Zappacosta to be slotted into the starting line up in anticipation of the physical challenge awaiting the Chelsea team.
The winner of the ensuing close tight match may depend on who can create the better goal threats. While Mark Hughes has injected a more ball playing, shorter passing attacking style, this match may rest on the potential link up play between Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata.
This will be the first time they will line up together from the start of a competitive match and it is their partnership that could hold the key as to The Blues chances of winning major trophies over the coming seasons. The possibility of them clicking together and unlocking the tightest defences is enough to whet the appetite of every Chelsea fan. And I for one can not wait.
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