We’re all overjoyed that domestic football is back in our living rooms but despite being described by some as a “competitive” Community shield, today’s curtain raiser was a typically tepid affair which offered few clues as to the destination of the title or our Fantasy funds…
Played out at pre-season friendly pace, the pedestrian nature of today’s encounter will come as little consolation for Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea’s pre-season has faltered – it’s four straight defeats in the summer now – hardly inspiring form going into the home clash with West Brom next weekend. Chelsea will have more than enough for the bouncing Baggies but they will need to rediscover a sharpness and confidence quickly in preparation for sterner tests.
Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda will continue to attract Fantasy investors this week – today’s action won’t hinder that. Likewise it was interesting to see Branislav Ivanovic employed alongside John Terry in central defence with Paulo Fererira at right-back. With Ricardo’ Carvalho’s future at Stamford Bridge still in doubt and Alex unable to keep out of the treatment room, Ivanovic has the chance to claim the spot alongside the Chelsea skipper and find his way to another 30 start season. He could yet be a Fantasy asset once more.
United come out of today’s game with far more positives. Wayne Rooney’s pass for Antonio Valencia’s goal was sublime and helped to shake off some of Rooney’s World cup demons. Antonio Valencia looked threatening and with Nani starting today on the bench it will be interesting to see if that sees some switches when it comes to the United wide men. The goals for Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov also provided massive confidence boosts as the two battle for the spot alongside United’s talisman. Sadly this offers little clarity for us Fantasy Managers.
Hernandez is exciting. He’s going to be a Solskjaer-like asset for Alex Ferguson this year with the ability to come off the bench as he did today and score a goal off his backside. Okay it was his face today but you can my drift. In Fantasy terms he’s going to cause problems rather than solve them.
The Mexican’s summer showings demonstrate that he can push for a regular starting role but Ferguson’s admiration for Dimitar Berbatov, plus the Bulgarian’s exquisitely taken goal today looks set to ensure that the Bulgarian will command regular starts if Sir Alex goes with a 4-4-2.
That’s a big “if” away from Old Trafford. With Valencia and Nani avaialble as proven foils either side of Rooney in a 4-5-1/4-3-3, this allows Carrick and Fletcher to solidify matters alongside the legs Scholes or Giggs in central areas. Scholes was magnificent today but can he really take on more of those high-tempo title clashes in a 4-4-2? There are doubts and Ferguson may well turn his back on two strikers for the big games.
Thirty starts for Berbatov would/should see him step up in Fantasy terms. He has quality and he has goals and assists in him and with a price drop this season, he is a temptation. Ferguson’s formation is the critical factor however and with Hernandez inevitably pinching pitch time, the Bulgarian remains a gamble.
Elsewhere in the United line-up it’s worth noting that John O’Shea claimed the starting role at right-back. That’s another position up for grabs with Rafeal and even Gary Neville’s ageing legs in contention. O’Shea looks to be in the box seat though and, along with Jonny Evans who is set to profit from Rio Ferdinand’s persistent injuries, should offer a route to early United cleanies. Patrice Evra remains the secure option here though and alongside Ashley Cole and Liverpool’s Glenn Johnson, he’s competing for our big funds at the back for our initial selections. As our Members Area Player Projections reveal, I’m backing Johnson in their particular head to head.
That’s just one of so many decisions to be made this week and although today’s Community Shield encounter shed little light on the multitude of equations in our head, at least football is back – that’s more than enough for me.