While we wait for Manchester City to confirm the Sergio Aguero transfer, our thoughts turn to yesterday’s friendlies amongst other matters, with Andres Villas-Boas experimental formation and subsequent use of Frank Lampard the major talking point. Here’s this morning’s Scout Scribbles:
Javier Hernandez looks set to be sidelined for around a fortnight, according to Sir Alex Ferguson. The Mexican suffered concussion after being hit by a stray ball in training and was kept overnight in hospital as a precautionary measure. The United boss explained:
We took him to the hospital, he had a scan, it was all clear. But he probably wouldn’t have been playing in a couple of weeks anyway because he’s just come back from his break after playing in the Gold Cup for Mexico. He wasn’t going to be involved in our team for two or three weeks.
While Hernandez watched on from his hospital bed, Dimitar Berbatov played a significant part in United’s 4-0 demolition of a MLS All-Stars XI that included David Beckham and Thierry Henry. The Bulgarian grabbed his side’s third in what was a comprehensive victory and sees the club continue their impressive pre-season form ahead of Saturday’s game with Barcelona.
Reports suggest David Moyes may have to start the season without his midfield playmaker Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard suffered a foot injury against Philadelphia Union in the club’s US tour last week and with subsequent severe bone bruising, will miss out on the upcoming friendlies against Birmingham and Werder Bremen. Moyes, however, is still hopeful the player will recover in time for the season kick-off in just over two weeks time.
Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Hong Kong champions Kitchee was most notable for Andres Villas-Boas starting formation. The new Blues boss is still weighing up his options but, intriguingly, started with Frank Lampard in a deep lying central midfield role as his side took to the field in a 4-2-3-1. Lampard vowed to continue getting forward, regardless:
I do like to get forward and this won’t be a role that will stop me getting into the box. As long as I’m never told not to stray beyond the half way line, I’ll be happy. I love getting into box, getting up and down the pitch.
I know I can do it now and, hopefully, I can do it for a few more years. I do have to look after myself. You look at Ryan Giggs and people like that, who hang around in their 30s, and they have to be disciplined about what they do.
Fantasy managers will be wary of investing in Lampard if this formation becomes the norm- at 12.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), he’s perhaps too much of a dent in the budget for a deep-lying midfielder, regardless of penalty duties. With so much press attention focused on his chosen formation, however, Villas-Boas gave an explanation as to his thinking:
Frank has the ability to play in that role and it is good that he feels so well in that position and gives us that flexibility. Frank is one of the best players in the world and he has the flexibility to play in many positions: in a number eight position, a number 10 position or a holding position.
We have seen throughout his career that he has the ability so it is nothing new that we were trying today, and it does not mean that we are going to use it to the fullness. We are just happy to see that the players are able to play in various positions.
The 4-2-3-1 allowed Yossi Benayoun the central role behind Didier Drogba and the Israeli was voted Man of the Match with a commanding performance. At 7.0 he’d be an absolute steal but Chelsea look likely to invest in a midfield creator, lessening his Fantasy appeal.
Mick McCarthy’s Wolves continued their pre-season with a comfortable 2-0 win at Glasgow Celtic. Jamie O’Hara highlighted his dead-ball ability by curling home a free-kick for the opener and Big Mick admitted he’s close to his first-choice line-up, praising the centre-half partnership of Roger Johnson and Christophe Berra in particular.
Birmingham City continue to shed their players at an alarming rate following last season’s relegation. Midlands neighbours West Brom look set to be the latest beneficiaries of the club’s financial woes- Ben Foster has already been linked with a move to the Hawthorns but Liam Ridgewell is also reportedly set to join Roy Hodgson’s side and help boost a defence that conceded 71 goals last season.
Reports suggest Valencia midfielder Juan Mata has moved closer to a move to the Emirates, with representatives of the player flying into London yesterday for talks. If it transpires, the transfer would certainly move Cesc Fabregas closer to the Arsenal exit door and finally put an end to the years of speculation surrounding his possible return to Barcelona.
