A beautiful, exhilarating yet disappointing season has come to its final destination. Chelsea welcome the newly crowned Premier league champions, Leicester City, to Stamford Bridge on the final day of the league season.
The two teams have shown that a lot can happen in the space of the year. When Chelsea clinched the title against Crystal Palace last season, Leicester were in a relegation battle and just about escaped by the skin of their teeth.
It will be a special yet emotional day for some Chelsea fans on Sunday, as it could be John Terry’s final goodbye. The skipper HAS received a new contract but in his words ‘the deal the club has offered me is a different role’ and after he broke down into tears at the end of year award ceremony, his days at the club could be limited.
Guus Hiddink said he will not be starting any youth players for the first time, but could mean that some will come of the bench and show their worth.
Leicester will be a tough test, but it will be a party atmosphere at the bridge so hopefully Hiddink will take the occasion into consideration and play a slightly rotated XI.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois – The Belgian missed the game against Liverpool due to illness, but will return to the starting XI despite Begovic’s impressive performance at Anfield.
Defence
Cesar Azpilicueta – ‘Dave’ is starting to show fatigue in recent weeks and a mistake against Liverpool led to Begovic’s mistake and Liverpool’s goal. It’s the Spaniard’s last chance to make amends for his mistake, when the blues take on the new league champions.
Branislav Ivanovic – Another absentee on Wednesday. Ivanovic will return back to the starting XI, replacing Mikel in the process. The Serbian will captain the side in the final game of the season.
Gary Cahill – Was the only centre-back available midweek and put in an impressive performance, keeping Liverpool out for 90 minutes until Begovic’s mistake gave the reds a point. The England international will hand over the armband to his defensive partner this weekend.
Abdul Baba Rahman – The Ghanaian looked great against Liverpool and deserves to remain in the starting XI.
Midfield
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – The 20 year old was named young player of the year last night and surely deserves to be back into the starting XI in which he was surprisingly left out of for the last couple of games. Nemanja Matic was complacent against Liverpool and should be dropped for Ruben this weekend.
John Obi Mikel – The Nigerian played in the heart of the defence midweek, but will return to his natural position in midfield.
Willian – The Brazilian received two award’s last night, as he picked up the player of the year and players player of the year award. Willian will most likely start centrally, giving Cesc Fabregas a deserved rest.
Forward’s
Betrand Traore – It was an impressive performance for the Burkina Faso international last time out, creating many opportunities but was unlucky to score. Traore will most likely start out on the right wing, giving a chance to someone on potentially their last game for the club.
Alexandre Pato – The Brazilian has had a strange time at Chelsea, having only made two appearances for the club since he joined in January. Diego Costa is out injured so It could be Pato’s final chance to prove his ‘qualities’.
Eden Hazard – A world class performance against Liverpool, was topped off with a world class goal, as the Belgian run though the whole of Liverpool’s defence and beautifully curled it passed Simon Mignolet into the bottom corner. Everyone will be hoping he continues his form and carries us to victory against Leicester.
