Well, that didn’t take long. After two somewhat disappointing performances from Chelsea, Andre Villas-Boas has gone away from the 4-3-3 that has served both Chelsea and Porto last season so well. Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres both start this afternoon, in a diamond 4-4-2. It’s an interesting move from Villas-Boas, especially as creating chances for Torres rather than his finishing has been Chelsea’s major problem. Florent Malouda, in what could be his last game for Chelsea if latest rumours are correct will have the job of main creator for Torres and Drogba, but expect Ashley Cole and Bosingwa to spend lots of time forward.
Chelsea v Norwich: Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba Both Start For Blues
Norwich make two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at home last week. Zak Whitbread comes into the centre of defence, pushing Richie De Laet to left back, while Wes Hoolihan (The Irish Lionel Messi, or Wessi) replaces Anthony Pilkington. Marc Tierny continue to play, albeit in the midfield instead of left back. Paul Lambert played 4-<4>-2 for most of last season, but his side could play 4-5-1 today, depending where Chris Martin (no, not the one from Coldplay) lines up. Last week he played upfront with Grant Holt; this week he could play on the right of midfield.
Chelsea: Henrique Hilario; Ashley Cole, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Jose Bosingwa; John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Florent Malouda; Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba.
Substitutes: Ross Turnbull, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Paulo Ferreira, Josh McEachran, Alex, Nicolas Anelka.
Norwich City: John Ruddy; Kyle Naughton, Zak Whitbread, Leon Barnett, Ritchie De Laet; Andrew Crofts, Bradley Johnson, Wes Hoolahan, Marc Tierney, Chris Martin; Grant Holt.
Substitutes: Declan Rudd, Russell Martin, Elliot Bennett, Anthony Pilkington, David Fox, Simeon Jackson, Steve Morison.
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