Blues Preview COYC!

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Clarets Mad - Clarets v Chelsea, English Premier League Match Preview.
Venue: Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley BB10 4BX.
Kick-off – 15.00 – Saturday 7th October 2023.

The Boys from London’s West End arrive at Turf Moor on Saturday following their turn of fortunes 2-0 away win to their nearest neighbours at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

Burnley in turn got their season back on track after a rough and tumble 2-1 win at Kenilworth Road the following night. Both teams will be looking to nick all three points come Saturday teatime to add further bonus returns to their midweek exploits.

The prospect of Mauricio Pochettino taking on Vincent Kompany in a true battle of managerial big guns should guarantee another full house for the East Lancashire hosts.

Chelsea will arrive with 8 points from 7 games, Burnley have accumulated 4 points from the same number of games. The match is of obvious high importance for both teams, and I’m looking forward to the kick-off already!

One’s to watch: Goal a game man Lyle Foster and Swiss international Zeki Amdouni are now forging a very threatening striker pairing, along with wonderkid Luca Koleosho the trio will be certain to ask some serious questions of the Chelsea rear-guard.

Sander Berge is worth a mention in despatches for his recent much improved form since his arrival from Bramhall Lane, the Norwegian international ran the midfield impressively in the win at Luton on the back of a very strong showing at Salford in the Clarets’ Carabao Cup victory.

For the Blues “Big Money Signings” are everywhere you look, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broga, Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo may all be available so it’s a case of wait and see if the Clarets will either face a billion quid’s worth of footy talent or a mere £500 million worth of elite footballing flair.

Verdict: I’m going for a 2-2 draw; Burnley are improving game by game and Chelsea are now starting to look like a Blues team from old. I think one style will negate the other and a draw is on the cards.

Footnote: Ian Maatsen returns to Turf Moor for the first time since he departed with a Championship Winners Medal for the Clarets during his year long loan period at Burnley. Some Burnley fans have expressed fury at his reluctance to return permanently to Turf Moor following a £30 million bid accepted by the Chelsea board.

I hope the home fans will be gracious to Ian on his return, he was phenomenal for the Clarets last season, and it is his prerogative to decide where his future takes him. Who knows he may be playing in our famous Claret and Blue jerseys at some time in the future. Stranger things have happened at Turf Moor. (TEC).

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[sinkov]

Assuming Maatsen comes on as a sub, I would expect a 'mixed' reception, a lot of appreciative applause and some boos. Everyone has their own opinion, it is what it is.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Assuming Maatsen comes on as a sub, I would expect a 'mixed' reception, a lot of appreciative applause and some boos. Everyone has their own opinion, it is what it is.

Be a shame if he gets the boos mon ami, he was outstanding for us last season.

[sinkov]

Be a shame if he gets the boos mon ami, he was outstanding for us last season.

Some fans will take it personally, you'd hope there wouldn't be too many, but they will take it as him putting two fingers up to us, and them. To be honest, I'm not bothered either way, and I doubt Maatsen is either.

[Claret_Matelot]

Some fans will take it personally, you'd hope there wouldn't be too many, but they will take it as him putting two fingers up to us, and them. To be honest, I'm not bothered either way, and I doubt Maatsen is either.

Well, He did do a Weghorst and say he didn't want to play for Burnley after both clubs, and I assume his agent, agreed.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I have posted this match preview on a few other BFC Facebook pages, the response towards Maatsen is not overwhelmingly friendly to say the least.

[sinkov]

James and Chilwell out, any chance Maatsen gets a start ?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

James and Chilwell out, any chance Maatsen gets a start ?

You would think so mon ami, but Pochettino does not seem to fancy him.

[outwoodclaret]

You would think so mon ami, but Pochettino does not seem to fancy him.

It certainly looks like Maatsen will be on the bench with Colwill preferred at left back and Cucurella starting on the right. If that is the case I’d like to see Koleosho on our left wing running Cucurella dizzy. Foster and Amdouni will probably also start. Larsen despite getting the winner at Luton could miss out.

[Claret_Matelot]

"true battle of managerial big guns" ????? Is Kompany in that bracket with only 7 games in the Premeirship?