Phil Thompson says Chelsea are getting their act back together and will see off Schalke.
Chelsea v Schalke 04
7.30pm, Wednesday
Sky Sports Xtra & Sky One
I covered Chelsea's win at Middlesbrough for
Soccer Saturday and I was interested to see how they would play and how they reacted to the Didier Drogba side-show and everything else that has been coming out of the camp.
And they gave a thoroughly professional performance. Middlesbrough weren't very good but that shouldn't take anything away from a professional away display by Chelsea.
Drogba was quite outstanding considering what had happened. In adversity top players always come through and he showed that.
Under a little bit of pressure he proved what a player he is.
It was a great win for them at Valencia in their last Champions League match and was just what they needed after drawing their opener at home to a Rosenborg side that they should have seen off.
Of course, John Terry misses this one through injury but I was impressed with Alex at the weekend. He looked solid in partnership with Ricardo Carvalho, and he can hit a ball as well.
But Schalke will prove a different kettle of fish. The Germans will definitely have had Chelsea watched and will have picked up on the weak link that is Paolo Ferreira.
I think he has been Chelsea's weak link at right-back and will be even more so at left-back.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's the area of the pitch that Schalke look to capitalise upon.
Joe Cole, if he plays on the left, will have to provide some cover, but he's done that before and always works hard for his team.
Chelsea will also want to attack, of course, as they will be pressing for a win.
It's too early to judge Avram Grant - let's give him until the end of the season. There's no doubt that Jose Mourinho is a tough act to follow.
Grant hasn't got the charisma of Mourinho and never will have, but not many other managers have that either.
The players have reacted positively, results-wise, but there's still a bit of a way to go.
Thommo's call
HOME WIN: Chelsea will win, I can't see there being a repeat of what happened against Rosenborg. But at that time things were a little bit shaky on and off the field. Now things seem to be coming together and I see Chelsea continuing where they left off against Valencia. 2-0.
