Newcastle United now have the opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, the only thing they need to do, is topple the champions.
Chelsea may still be a shadow of their former selves, and still rooted in the bottom half of the season. But under Guus Hiddink especially, they still pose a huge threat to Newcastle.
Ahead of his side’s clash against with the West London, Steve McClaren has been speaking about his team, here’s what he said:
Team news
Emmanuel Riviere and Jack Colback are set to come back into contention for the game against Chelsea. The pair missed the last game due to injury.
It is unclear if either will have a part to play in the first team, with Riviere still struggling to impress on Tyneside, and Colback no having to content with Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet, the two may find their first team opportunities limited.
Injury stricken Siem De Jong is back in training but is still unlikely to be involved. The Dutchman has still never held down a first team position for Newcastle following his move from Ajax in the summer of 2014.
There were fears that Daryl Janmaat wouldn’t be fit for the match after suffering an ankle knock, but the right-back has come through and should be in the first team for the game.
Cheick Tiote has been strongly linked with a move to China. A number of Chinese clubs have been making high profile signings including, Ramires from Chelsea, Fredy Guarin from Inter Milan and Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid.
The Ivorian international’s move seemed to have stalled and his manager has said that he would like it if the midfielder opted against moving and stayed with the Magpies.
Ticket prices
The prices of tickets for Premier League games has been a hot topic of debate in recent times after the Liverpool fans walking out of the match against Sunderland forced the club to lower the cost of matches.
McClaren has backed the fans who are protesting against the high prices of Premier League matches, the 54-year old said: “Football is a working class game and we must never take that away. Make the prices available so they can come and fill the stadiums.”
On Townsend
Andros Townsend made his debut in the 3-0 loss to Everton. As the score-line suggests, the Newcastle team performed very sub-standard despite having a number of high profile signings coming into the side.
Townsend can say that his debut showed some promise. The winger looked positive on the ball and when possible did look to be the most threatening in a lack lustre Newcastle side.
McClaren has backed his £12 million signing to get even better in the black and white shirt. The former Derby County manager said: “Townsend will get better and better, the fitter he gets. He must be a defender’s nightmare, he is relentless.”
On his opposite number
Hiddink is still unbeaten in his second spell at Chelsea, even in his first spell he only lost one match. The Dutch manager seems to have had a calming effect on the champions who before his arrival were in an incredible downward spiral.
McClaren was quick to praise his upcoming opponent claiming that he has made Chelsea very hard to beat in his short time in charge.