BURN OUT! - Is that now the worry at Chelsea?
Here's a question for you the Chelsea fan reading this post. Do you think that any of our players look tired and could do with a rest...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2014/02/burn-out-is-that-now-worry-at-chelsea.html
Here's a question for you the Chelsea fan reading this post. Do you think that any of our players look tired and could do with a rest after watching our recent performances?
You could say that we have been extremely lucky this season with player injuries and suspensions as thankfully, they have been kept to a minimum.
However, in the last couple of weeks we have had to deal with slight problems with a few players and I just wonder if it's due to the amount of games they are playing in succession because of a lack of squad rotation?
I will say this though, to contemplate asking if someone who trains for two hours a day and plays 90 or so minutes up to three times a week, is ridiculous really if you think about it. These people are in peak physical condition, better than most of us and I always find it difficult to understand just how they could be in need of a rest!
Getting back to whole point of this article and as with any decision, there is plenty to consider and that has to play a huge part in the judgement of Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff.
I want to point out that in no way am I criticising them for one moment, I simply am not qualified to do that but I can make a judgement on their performances in matches.
I can't remember the last time Oscar was a major influence in a game like he was towards the beginning of the season and in the last three games, Eden Hazard has not been anywhere near his best.
I know that many people will talk of the decision to sell Juan Mata when we think about rotation. In fact, some people have already questioned what the result would have been if he was still here and played in Istanbul last night which is ridiculous. Mata has been sold (as much as we love him) and we have to move on.
Let's put things into perspective in preparation for Fulham on Saturday in the Premier League and from both points of view as it's important with any debate to consider both sides of the argument.
Chelsea sit top of the Premier League and have the destiny of the title in our own hands. That is fact despite what anybody else around us does in the title run in. Jose Mourinho knows exactly what it takes to deliver the title and become champions as he has done it in FOUR different countries.
Mourinho's focus will be to pick up as many victories as possible early enough to create some sort of gap to second place to give us a buffer. Once that gap has been established, he can maybe look at rotating one or two positions. Until then why not play your strongest eleven to give him the best chance of pulling out a lead at the top?
The flip side of that argument is the point I am making with this post - burn out. I for one believe we have more than enough suitable replacements to give the likes of Eden Hazard, Torres and Eto'o a rest for Fulham (No disrespect to our opponents).
Mohamed Salah and Nemanja Matic are both back in contention with Demba Ba who has been stuck sitting on the bench for weeks now. I would start all of them.
Chelsea have done so well this season and at the moment are above and beyond our own expectations at this stage of the season. We really have the potential to go on and win the title this season, one year ahead of schedule according to the manager. I just don't want to see our key players suffer from fatigue when it really matters!
What do you people think after watching Chelsea in recent weeks? Do you think certain players could do with a rest and we should rotate this weekend?
For example here is my rotated Chelsea eleven to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday:
Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry(c), Cole, Matic, Lampard, Schurrle, Willian, Salah and Ba.
Subs: Schwarzer, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ramires, Hazard, Oscar, Torres.
What do you people think? I would love to read as many opinions as possible on a potential burn out and my rotated starting eleven.
Carefree & KTBFFH!