PREVIEW: Chelsea v Southampton

Unavailable: Chelsea – Courtois, Costa

                         Southampton – Forster, Gardoş

In the build-up to this weekend’s encounter in the capital, dark clouds have been gathering over Stamford Bridge. After enjoying an aura of invincibility last season, José Mourinho’s men have endured a difficult start to this campaign. Controversy regarding Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearns has not helped the club, nor did Diego Costa’s suspension, yet Ronald Koeman stated that the principal issue lies elsewhere – in Chelsea’s backline.

When pressed on the reason behind the London club’s early season demise, he pointed to Mourinho’s decision to tinker with his defence – benching John Terry in favour of Kurt Zouma. It is hard not to concur with the Dutchman on the matter. While Terry’s advancing years may pose him problems when facing a genuine speed merchant, the Chelsea skipper is still an excellent leader who marshals his team well. On the other hand, Zouma shows real promise, but it is often easy to forget that the Frenchman is only 20 years old, and will make errors in his formative years.

Koeman has pinpointed this weakness, and displayed a poker face when asked whether he would give Shane Long a starting berth on Saturday. When played from the off at Stamford Bridge in March as the No 9, the striker caused havoc on occasion, as he stretched the Chelsea rearguard on the counter. The lack of certainty regarding the player selected up top for Saints will give Mourinho a headache. If Graziano Pellè is given the nod, it would be a battle that Terry would relish, but if Long were to start, it is likely that the Chelsea boss would opt for a Zouma-Cahill partnership.

Meanwhile, Koeman has other matters to consider in his engine room. The Dutchman was frustrated with his central midfield in the last half an hour against Swansea – declaring that they took their foot off the gas, and let the Swans play in front of them, rather than going for the kill. It will be imperative that those selected do not drop back and let their hosts pick them off. Against Manchester United, Victor Wanyama and Oriol Romeu were almost alongside José Fonte and Virgil van Dijk after 30 minutes, leaving the Red Devils time and space to build attacks, therefore Southampton need to push up when they have any opportunity to do so. If they can squeeze their opponents to good effect, Saints will be tricky customers for the Blues, and will add to Mourinho’s worries.

Key Battles

Pedro v Bertrand: After reportedly rejecting United in the summer, Pedro decided to head to Stamford Bridge, but his form has been somewhat average in his early performances. He may have sparkled on his debut against West Brom, however the Spaniard has found it challenging to strike up a good understanding with his fellow midfielders in the attacking trio behind Costa. Moreover, he has not been sufficiently supported by Branislav Ivanović in his early months at the club. Usually so capable when sprinting forward as an overlapping or underlapping full-back, the Serbian has put in several nervous displays in the last month or so.

On Saturday, it may well be the winger who has to support his right-back. When given the opportunity, Koeman will push his full-backs forward signifying that Pedro will have to track Ryan Bertrand, who will no doubt be buoyed by his England call-up so soon after coming back into action. Due to Luke Shaw’s horrendous injury, the Chelsea academy graduate should be handed an opportunity to hold down a spot in Roy Hodgson’s team – something which was unfairly kept from him last season when the former Saints left-back struggled for form. This Saturday, he will be keen to impress in front of his former employers, but it will be a test of his newfound match sharpness.

Ivanović v Tadić: It will be a clash between the two Serbian internationals down Southampton’s left wing, yet as stated above, the Chelsea right-back seems to be a shell of the player who made his way into the PFA team of the year last term. The Serbian has been slow, and his body language poor, yet Mourinho has stood by him whereas other favourites have been dropped by the Portuguese. It is necessary that he improves his game this weekend, otherwise his countryman will give him numerous problems. In contrast to the right-back’s downwards trajectory, Tadić has been on song in the last month. Finally back in his favoured position on the left wing, and supported by Bertrand, the Serbian adds real attacking flair to his team. While not gifted with natural speed like Sadio Mané, the winger has quick feet and a keen eye for an assist. This season, he has flooded the box with crosses once again, and he should be able to supply good service this Saturday – either for Pellè or Long, who possesses excellent spring.

Possible Line-ups

Chelsea: Begović – Ivanović, Cahill, Terry (C), Azpilicueta – Ramires, Fàbregas – Pedro, Willian, Hazard – Falcao

Blackman, Zouma, Rahman, Oscar, Mikel, Rémy, Matić 

Southampton: Stekelenburg – Soares, Fonte (C), Van Dijk, Bertrand – Wanyama, S. Davis – Ward-Prowse, Mané, Tadić – Pellè

K. Davis, Yoshida, Clasie, Long, Rodriguez, Romeu, Martina