There will be plenty of familiarity and back-slapping when Swansea arrive at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to play Chelsea with two of their key individuals having enjoyed the formative years of their careers in West London.
Swans boss Brendan Rodgers was an employee of Jose Mourinho when the ‘Special One’ was leading the Blues to the most decorated period in their history, starting off by looking after the youth set up and impressing the Portuguese so much that he was promoted to reserve team coach. In fact, the Ulsterman was at Stamford Bridge at the same time as the current manager Andre Villas-Boas was preparing scouting reports for his illustrious compatriot and the two will undoubtedly be sharing a bottle of wine and some memories after hostilities on the pitch have been concluded.
Scott Sinclair will also be returning to his former stamping ground. The winger-cum-forward has enjoyed a sparkling 13 months since signing from Chelsea for £500,000 and will be keen to prove a point to his former club after never being given the opportunity to shine during his time there.
The visitors have no real injury concerns ahead of the clash though Chelsea will be without Daniel Sturridge who picked up a knee injury in the Carling Cup win over Fulham in midweek while Alex’s red card in that same match will see him unavailable for selection.
With Swansea having not triumphed at Stamford Bridger since 1925 and having lost 6-1 on their last visit, the bare statistics would suggest that Villas-Boas’ side are overwhelming favourites to sweep aside the Premier League new boys but having scored their first goals – and secured their first win – of the campaign against West Bromwich Albion last week, the Welsh side are likely to provide a sterner test that expected.
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