Team News
The unavailable players are as follows:
Injured:
Lejeune
Manquillo (thankfully)
Banned:
Hayden
Ineligible (& probably banned):
Kenedy
Unregistered:
Lazaar
Aarons
DeAndre Yedlin is doubtful though it is expected he will have recovered in time. We do have one space available in our 25 man squad and I believe players can be registered up until the end of August so there is a possibility one of the unregistered player could become available.
My Team Selection
Watching Chelsea last night, they look very good going forwards but vulnerable defensively. Could translate into it being the sort of game we excelled in last season. If we can stay tight at the back, put in a solid shift and take an opportunity we could nick this.
Rafa said before the Cardiff game that Rondon is not yet 100% fit. I think (well hope) that he'll be ready by next week though. As Joselu was anonymous yesterday I'd give Rondon the nod up top.
In midfield I'd keep the Diame - Shelvey central combo and Ritchie on the right. LW and N10 are the most difficult selection decisions. It would be very harsh to drop Perez and games like this are the ones that tend to get the best out of him. However in his two cameos this season, Muto has looked like a baller. I think he'll end up being a top signing. I'd be tempted to start both Perez and Muto, with one of them on the left. Both have played that role before, though Muto seems to have more experience out there of the two. The other option is Atsu or Murphy coming in. Bringing Atsu in might give the team more balance or we could move Ritchie across to the left and bring Murphy in. That leaves us weak down the right though with neither Yedlin or Murphy much use defensively. Due to Yedlins defensive frailties, we probably need Ritchies work rate down that right flank.
Dubravka, Lascelles and Dummett pick themselves. Hopefully Yedlin will be fit otherwise it is going to be a hello of a Premier League debut for Sterry. I'd probably take Clark out of the side, I do like him but he's always got a mistake in him. I'd bring in Ferandez or Schar, probably Ferandez as Schar looked a bit shaky preseason and Fernandez has the Premier League experience.
I'd go:
<yedlin> <fernandez>
<shelvey> <diame>
<ayoze> <muto>
<rondon>