Fulham coach Marco Silva knows Fulham will be coming up against a stronger Chelsea side on Friday than the one they faced last month. In addition to welcoming back a number of players from injury, the Blues bolstered their squad considerably in January. And when asked if our recent SW6 success remains fresh in our minds, Silva conceded that it was, but that our opponents would also be keen to avenge that result.
Marco Silva said: “It’s fresh for all of us, but I know that it’s fresh for Chelsea’s players, their staff, and their fans as well. If you ask me if it’s a different, but more difficult, challenge for us – definitely. We played three weeks ago, and after that result of course it will be more difficult for us. Not just because we are playing away from home, but we know the quality they have. It’s a moment for them to adjust things and to prepare the game against us, and we know that they are going to be stronger in that game. And, for that reason, we have to be stronger than the game we played against them at home. Of course it will be different in certain areas of the pitch, with a different profile of players as well. Before the match, during the match, they have the capacity to change systems and to do something different. Against us [at the Cottage], we prepared the game for them to start with four, and they came here and played with three at the back. We are going to be ready to face this type of different formations they can present during the match. About the players, okay, it’s difficult to predict right now, because they made a very big number of signings, new players arriving. Let’s see if the new players can start. We are ready for the situation if they are.”
Chelsea’s busy January took their total spending for the season to a reported £600m.
Marco Silva added: “It’s not something new, because in January they did more or less the same thing that they did last summer. Last summer they spent a very good amount of money too, they strengthened their squad, and they were able to do the same in the [January] transfer window. Again they showed their power and their ambition to improve the squad. With younger players, some fresh legs, it’s clear what they are trying to do.”
