What do Chelsea do now?

Chelsea have had the worst start to a season long in a long, long time. In fact it is Mourinho's worst ever start to a season. However, they won their first Champions League fixture and now they face Arsenal on the weekend. 

Arsenal have had a 'classic Arsenal' start to the season. Fairly solid with a few ridiculous slip-ups already in place. One of those slip-ups being their loss in to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last night.

So depsite the differing starts, Chelsea have somehow come into this on the better form, or on the up, if you like. However, it is Chelsea who need the win more and let's not forget Chelsea's poor form began in the community shield in which Arsenal comfortably beat them. 

What we learn't about Chelsea gainst Macaabi Tel Aviv

It was a very different squad that featured against last nights opponents, to those who have challenged for the Premier League so far and they came out on top. Worth 4-0 winners. John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Nemaja Matic & Diego Costa all lost their place. In came Cahill, Baba Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Willian & Remy.  

Fabregas and Hazard kept their place, so did Zouma and Azpilicuetta. While the opposition was poor, what did we learn from these changes? Who should make the cut against Arsenal?

Oscar

He was a breath of fresh air to Chelsea. He is so intelligent while closing down the ball and extremely agile while trying to steal the ball. His movement and creativity turned Chelsea into a better team. He is a must to start against Arsenal.

Willian

Despite my criticism of Willian, he was lively and dangerous. Unfortunately, he got injured and will miss Saturdays game. He would have started if he was fit.

Loftus-Cheek

I have long been a fan and I thought he showed why last night. Tenacious and energetic, he is so clearly what Chelsea are missing in midfield at the moment. Over eager at times, but that is better than not being eager is enough.

Remy/Costa

Due to the Willian injury, Remy was forced into a wide position and Diego Costa went up top alone. I will be surprised if Remy starts on the weekend although I would personally start him myself. Costa may have scored and won a penalty but the penalty was not a foul and his finish was a total fluke. He is not the player of last year and is showing little sign, to me, that he is on his way back. I would start Remy ahead of him. 

Ivanovic/Rahamn

I thought the one disappointing replacement of the night was Rahman. He looked full of energy but lacked quality on the ball. At this point though, I would have him in over Ivanovic. Azpilicuetta was a marked improvement at right back.

Fabregas & Hazard

Both will inevitably play and at least one needs to with the injures to Pedro and Willian, However, neither deserve to. An improvement from Fabregas, yes, but he hasn't showed the kind of form to earn him a place. Hazard really needs to sit out a game to reavaluate his motivation. 

Defensive partnership

It really is difficult to choose between the three. Personally, I think Cahill has been playing the worst but I actually think between them any partnership is fine. I would probably play Terry and Cahill though, if Zouma played however, there wouldn't be anything wrong with that.

So this would be my line up. 

 

Reluctantly, Matic would come in and Hazard would stay in. I would want to replace them with Willian and Pedro. Arguably Fabregas could go in for Hazard and Ramires moves out wide or come straight in for Matic. Remy could move out wide and Falcao or Costa could play up top. 

Ultimately, I think Chelsea's big players have to be kicked up the arse to the point that they are told, you aren't playing against Arsenal. Five games is too many. They have been unconvincing in them all. They were lucky in their draw against Swansea and it is becoming more and more apparent that a 3-2 win over West Brom is not a great achievement. They only really had Pedro to thank for that anyway.

The important players here are Oscar and Loftus-Cheek. While Chelsea have defensively been bad, they have been woeful going forward and woeful at pressing high up the pitch. These two can win that midfield battle for Chelsea.

I don't think Mourinho will follow through with any of these changes, there may be one notable one that grabs the medias attention however, it shouldn't be a 'story' to make all those that have under performed, sit out. 

However, if he goes back to his trusted eleven then what is he saying as a manager? I don't know who else to pick? I think we are doing well? My players are playing well? And then what if they then lose? All if's and but's but worrying times for Chelsea. In my opinion he shouldn't be criticised at this point if he changed every single player.