With seven clean sheets in their first nine games, Chelsea seemed to be the predominant team to plump for when it came Fantasy defensive options. However, with just one clean sheet in their last seven games- less than the likes of Stoke, Fulham and Blackburn- the champions’ defence is offering little-to-no value for money right now in Fantasy terms. The next three gameweeks offer little optimism; with (tot, MUN, ars) up next, it’s becoming increasingly likely that those Fantasy bosses who have persevered thus far will now be looking to off-load en masse.
Man City, on the other hand, have four clean sheets in the same time period (more than any other team bar Liverpool, who also have four) and conceded just four goals, as Roberto Mancini’s side look increasingly solid for defensive points returns.
The return from injury of Aleksander Kolarov, in particular, offers an alternative for those Fantasy managers looking to ship out the likes of Ashley Cole for a similarly attack-minded full-back. Granted, Kolarov will serve a one match ban next gameweek for his two yellow cards against Bolton and thus miss the trip to West Ham, but the following analysis of the Serb’s performance against Owen Coyle’s side indicates what a great long-term acquisition he appears to be.
The Average Position map above shows how high up the pitch Kolarov (13) played against Bolton. He’s positioned more-or-less as a left winger and is almost as far forward as Mario Balotelli (45).
A look at Kolarov’s passing chalkboard below confirms his attacking prowess. Considering Balotelli played as part of a front two, the Serb’s passing is actually further forward than the temperamental Italian. 75% of Kolarov’s passes were played in the Bolton half, compared to 77% of Balotelli’s, but in the final third of the pitch, he was more of a threat, making 52% of his passes there, compared to 38% of Balotelli’s, a real indication of just how much he’s getting forward for City.
His shooting is also on a par with that of a forward; both Kolarov and Balotelli had 3 shots plus 1 blocked against Bolton, whilst over the last four games (since Kolarov has returned from injury) he is second overall in terms of Goal Attempts for Man City only to Carlos Tevez.
In short, Mancini’s tactics mean Kolarov is virtually playing as an out-of-position defender, as the bank of City defensive midfielders allow him to bomb forward and give the side width from deep. Added to the fact he’s on corners and occasional direct free-kicks, and he almost offers almost the same attacking points potential as he does defensively.
If you already own him, he’s easily bench-able for the trip to Upton Park, and with City then having a run of fixtures that reads (EVE, new, AVL, BLP, ars, WOL) the left-back should surely be on every Watchlist for those who have yet to acquire him.
