Everton v Chelsea: Preview and predicted Chelsea line up

Juan Mata should start this weekend’s game against Everton

Hello Chelsea fans all over the world. Just another day to go until we get back into the full swing of Premier League football with some really interesting games taking place this weekend.

Chelsea travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the early evening kick off and I am wondering who YOU think should start the game. As always, I will give my opinion but I want to hear from as many of you as possible with you own opinions.

Now ahead of Jose Mourinho’s press conference today, you would have to imagine that Samuel Eto’o. Eden Hazard and Oscar are all fit for possible selection after taking knocks during the international games.

It looks as though Jose has a fully fit squad to choose from that travels today to Merseyside so we have to think about the game carefully just as you would expect Jose to do. He would have analysed Everton, the way they play, where they are strong and hopefully, would have found a weakness to expose.

I wrote a post the other day asking Chelsea fans who visit my site on a regular basis, if Samuel Eto’o should be given a start straight-away in this game? I had a mixed set of responses but I am in favour of that happening.

In their three league games so far, the Everton back four has not changed. Baines, Jagielka, Distin and Coleman have been ever-present and I expect the same tomorrow. My argument about Eto’o is based on these starting again.

For example, Fernando Torres likes to play on the shoulder of the last defender but although quick, he doesn’t have pace to burn like Eto’o. In what could be a tight game and with the attacking flair we have at our disposal, just one single through ball to split their defence for Eto’o to run onto, could win it for us.

We all know what to expect from Everton. They will be disciplined without the ball, well organised and will work hard to negate the space in their own half that allows teams to play. With the ball, they will look to get the ball wide to the likes of Baines and Coleman to spread the play and make the pitch bigger. It will be interesting to see how they adapt to losing Felliani.

So in response to that, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Mikel come into the side next to Frank Lampard and Ramires asked to do a job wide right to combat Baines. Juan Mata in my eyes, should start this game with Eden Hazard wide left.

Much has been commented on about Juan Mata and I personally believe he is important to Jose Mourinho as anyone and he WILL be given the start tomorrow. After being absent up to this point, Juan Mata will look to impress the manager and given plenty of the ball, should have no problem in doing so. Mata’s creative ability and craft could be key to Chelsea winning the game and I honestly believe he will start.

Gary Cahill has been outstanding of late for club and country and deserves to keep his place in the side and with David Luiz playing for Brazil, John Terry could retain his place with Ashley Cole and Ivanovic either side of them.

So, looking to combat the threat Everton have and to deal with it and then take the game to them, I would pick the following starting eleven:

Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry(c), Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Hazard and Eto’o.

Chelsea have more than enough to win this one. We need to remain defensively solid, work hard tracking back without the ball and when we have it, use it well by moving it forward quickly into attacking areas. It’s important that we do not give stupid free kicks away around the edge of the box allowing Leighton Baines a chance to score.

Whoever starts for Jose needs to stand up and be counted when we travel away in the Premier League and at Goodison, we need that more than plenty of other grounds.

The Evertonians are a passionate bunch and will get right behind their team and expect their team to give 100% for 90 minutes. If Chelsea are to win this one, we need every single player to do the same.

We have the quality to win the game and to build on our solid start to the season. We just need to get out there and do it!

Come on Chelsea!

So Chelsea fans, today’s question for you is there to be answered.

Who would YOU start against Everton?