Chelsea line-up v Schalke – Mourinho to keep one eye on City?

By Michael Benson  | Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  

After beating Swansea to successfully maintain their 100 per cent record in the league, Chelsea's focus now switches to the Champions League and to familiar opposition in Schalke.

Having taken six points from the Germans in last year's group stage, Jose Mourinho’s team will feel confident in their ability to overcome any Schalke side – especially one in the midst of such a desperate injury crisis.

The Royal Blues will be missing the likes of Jefferson Farfan, Felipe Santana, Atsuto Uchida, Sead Kolasinac and Joel Matip through injury. Star players Julian Draxler, Max Meyer and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, meanwhile, should all play but will certainly not be 100 per cent fit.

Just as desperate for Schalke this season has been the club’s initial form in the Bundesliga. Defeat in their last outing against Borussia Monchengladbach condemned the Germans to their worst start in 46 years.

However, Chelsea boss Mourinho sees no drama in the opposition camp and even described how it could make them a stronger side.

"I don’t see any relation because of the fact they lost the last match. Probably it will make them stronger," he said. "Probably they can discuss the mistakes they made; they can try to have a different approach to be a better team and a difficult opponent."

The Blues’ manager also remained very coy when discussing his likely line-up for tonight’s game.

In response to the ongoing debate over his two world-class goalkeepers, Mourinho declared that, "every game is good for Petr to play."

The Portuguese cryptically told the waiting media, "Don’t be surprised if he plays a Champions League game or a Premier League game, or if Courtois plays a Capital One Cup game."

However, he must also surely have one eye on his side’s upcoming clash against Man City at the Etihad.

With City coming up against tough opposition in Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener, Mourinho could gain an early advantage should he choose to rest certain big names from his starting 11.

Below is how Chelsea could line-up against Schalke:

It is thought that Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas could have their energy conserved for Sunday’s trip, with Loic Remy and Ramires, both impressive as substitutes against Swansea, coming in to replace them.

Captain John Terry may also sit out as he did in last year’s Champions League opener against Basel with new signing Filipe Luis expected to make his debut if Mourinho reshuffles his defence.

As cryptic as Mourinho was over the Cech/Courtois debate, he will no doubt be aware that freezing the long serving Cech out permanently could soon result in an unwanted transfer request. Therefore the ‘keeper’s morale may be boosted through a place in the team.