Sky sport pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has stated his stance on what he expects Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to do in his team selection today.
The Champions League winner has tipped Mourinho to restore back Terry, Matic and Costa to the starting line-up after missing out on midweek victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Although, Costa played the game winning a penalty which was converted by Oscar and also scored a goal after coming in as substitute for willian in the first half.
However, carragher expects mourinho not to start Serbia international Branislav Ivanovic after a poor display this season. The 31 year-old defender is arguably the most out of inform player in Chelsea’s squad this season.
“There is a big difference, however, between not selecting John Terry, Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic for a fixture that Chelsea could have won in second gear and leaving them out of a potentially season-defining game against Arsenal today,” Carragher wrote in his Daily Mail Column.
“If Terry, Matic and Costa were not to start in the clash with Arsene Wenger’s men, you could legitimately say they have been dropped. I don’t, though, expect any of them to miss out against Arsenal.
“No matter how those three have been playing, there is no way Mourinho will be without them for this one.
“Ivanovic is a different case and Mourinho should drop him at Stamford Bridge. The full back made a fair point after the defeat by Everton that Chelsea’s problems should not be blamed solely on their defence-they have not been given great protection by the midfield-but his form has been poor.
“Could Mourinho really risk him at the right back against Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal’s best player, who will be running at him from the left flank? Cesar Azpilicueta-chelsea’s best defender-would be a far better choice, with Baba Rahman slotting in at left back.”
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