Plenty of football fans are saying tonight is hopeless for Chelsea, who don’t stand a chance. But is that really true? Is this team much worse than that one? Let’s have a look.
In goal, Thibaut Courtois is superb, while Petr Cech was at his magnificent peak in 2012, so we’ll call that a draw. 1-1.
Branislav Ivanovic was at right back then, and we’d take 2012 Brana over Victor Moses tonight. 2-1 to 2012.
In the middle Gary Cahill and John Terry were a fearsome partnership, although neither finished the game. 2018 Cesar Azpilicueta surely makes this one a draw though. 3-2 to 2012.
On the left there’s no question that Ashley Cole beats Marcos Alonso. 4-2 to 2012.
N’Golo Kante though is a level above John Obi Mikel, despite his heroics in this game. 4-3 to 2012.
Frank Lampard clearly has the edge over Cesc Fabregas or Danny Drinkwater. 5-3 to 2012.
Eden Hazard beats out Juan Mata though, and Willian is better than Ramires – despite the midfielder having his greatest ever moment that night. 5-5.
Didier Drogba, of course, has the edge over either Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud. 6-5 to 2012.
You’re then left with the formation mismatch: Raul Meireles against Andreas Christensen. Different positions, but Christensen is a better player and probably more useful in this kind of game too.
So what are you left with? 6-6. This team is probably more complete than the 2012 side, if lacking some of the personality and star players. Still, there’s no question that we have at least as good chance tonight as we did then.
