Goodison Park has always been a tough place to visit for Chelsea. Everton may have witnessed a lot of changes in the last few months. The departure of manager David Moyes and star midfielder Marouane Fellaini definitely makes them weaker than before. New manager Roberto Martinez has made some interesting signings. Loan stars Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku (who will be ineligible to play in this match) are the standout names to come to Goodison Park this summer.
This is the first league match since the 0-0 draw with Manchester United, and it can’t come soon enough due to the UEFA Super Cup defeat against Bayern Munich.
All the talk has been about new signing Samuel Eto’o starting the match. Mourinho confirmed in the pre-match press conference that the Cameroon international will make his Chelsea debut. However, it remains to be seen if he starts or comes on as a substitute. Don’t be sure that Eto’o will only play as a striker. He was famously used by Mourinho on the wings at Inter Milan. He could replace either Eden Hazard or Andre Schurrle from the last starting line-up.
“Everton is a good team. Goodison Park is a difficult place to play. Their record at home is normally better than away. We go trying to win knowing they are a difficult side.
“They did very well in the last days of the market. They got two very good players for midfield,” said Mourinho.
Hazard, meanwhile, is fit and ready to play after the injury scare while on international duty with the Belgian national team.
Both teams are likely to have three central midfielders in the middle of the park. This is the area where the game will be won and lost. Everton’s midfield trio is likely to be composed of Ross Barkley, Leon Osman, and James McCarthy. They will be coming up against a possible trio of Oscar, Lampard, and Ramires.
Everton are still looking for their first win under Martinez after drawing the opening three matches. This is a great time to play them and take advantage of their low confidence.
Mourinho’s full press conference ahead of the Everton match:
