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Chelsea fans react on Twitter as 28-year-old midfielder axed v Man City
By Matt Bullin
Chelsea fans have taken to Twitter to express their delight at Nemanja Matic being dropped to the bench for Chelsea’s match with Manchester City tonight.
Matic was replaced by Kurt Zouma as Antonio Conte made one change to the side that lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Zouma’s inclusion sees him start his first Premier League game in 14 months as he drops into the back three alongside his skipper Gary Cahill and David Luiz.
Cesar Azpilicueta shifts to right wing-back and Pedro moves up field after occupying the wing-back position against Palace.
Cesc Fabregas is preferred to Matic in the middle of the park to partner N’Golo Kante.
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The Serbian midfielder has struggled to recreate his form of years gone by this season and has been the one Chelsea player who has not been at the peak of his powers this season.
He has made 31 league and cup appearances this season and has laid on eight assists for his team mates, however he has not found the net himself.
Fabregas, who is more of an attacking threat, has netted six league and cup goals in his 26 appearances, as well as providing eight assists.
Here’s a selection of Chelsea fans’ Tweets reacting to the news Matic has been dropped.
Matic bench,Azpi at RWB Conte finally sees the light
— EH10 (@____Ismael_) April 5, 2017
Conte has shown with his lineup that he isn't going to sit back & defend. Could have easily played Matic. Great decision to start Cesc
— Aman (@Aman__cfc) April 5, 2017
Glad Zouma is in at CB and Azpi at RWB. Fabregas over Matic is much more attacking also. We're going for it! Come on you Blues! ???? #CHEMCI
— Olivia Buzaglo (@OliviaBuzaglo) April 5, 2017
Right call to drop Matic after saturday and happy @KurtZouma is back! ????⚽️ https://t.co/iNe0Qv0kWQ
— Miles Cockerill (@nopunintended84) April 5, 2017
Playing it safe to change the back 3 for first time in months? Gutsy to me.
Fabregas over Matic also aggressive.
Should be a good one. Enjoy— Jim (@JimBmore) April 5, 2017
Ooooh. Nice to see Zouma slot in at CB and Azpi move RWB. Pedro was wasted there. Also happy to see Cesc in the middle over Matic https://t.co/SW7u0tcqZ1
— Majdie Hajjar (@MajdieHajjar) April 5, 2017
Matic on the bench!! Thank u ! He has been utterly useless !! Shawdow of his formerself ! https://t.co/v2dDXzaE9o
— ♠️•σℓιѕє α∂ιgωє•♠️ ™ (@olise_07) April 5, 2017
Good to see Azpi playing RWB tonight & Matic dropped
— Lee M (@LAM_0904) April 5, 2017
And finally...
Matic benched too pic.twitter.com/q6iH7CkdYr
— James (@jhf_cfc) April 5, 2017
In other Chelsea news, here is the confirmed Chelsea line-up vs Manchester City.
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