Fernando Torres finds the net again as Chelsea reach the World Club Championship final. Jose Enrique hopes to be fit for Liverpool’s home game with Villa, West Brom are optimistic on a return to training for Ben Foster, Liam Ridgewell and Claudio Yacob, while Hatem Ben Arfa’s hamstring problem is playing up again:
Chelsea 3 Monterrey 1
Chelsea saw off Mexican outfit Monterrey in their World Club Championship semi-final with a comfortable win yesterday. Intriguingly, Rafa Benitez moved David Luiz to the double pivot in front of the back-four, which allowed Branislav Ivanovic to shift over to centre-half, with Cesar Azpilicueta returning at right-back. Further up the field, Juan Mata moved over to the right flank, with Oscar handed a start behind Fernando Torres as Victor Moses dropped out. Ashley Cole teed up Mata for the opener – the Spaniard has now scored in four back-to-back matches, while Torres grabbed the second; his run of five goals in three games under Benitez is his best spell since moving to the club from Liverpool. Chelsea’s third came courtesy of an own goal before the Mexican’s notched a late consolation.
Post-match, Benitez spoke of Luiz’s change of position. While admitting it may be a one-off decision, the new man in charge conceded it does give him food for thought – with Oriol Romeu out for six months after undergoing knee surgery, Luiz’s versatility may well boost his chances of game time under Benitez.
“The main idea for playing David Luiz there was for this game because Monterrey are good between the lines where they like to play little penetrating passes. They have the left winger going inside a lot so we wanted more players in this area. I know David Luiz well when he was at Benfica and played centre-back, right-back, left-back or defensive midfield and he can regain a lot of balls and at the same time he can play the ball. He can win it in the air and has fresh legs. It was mainly for this game but it is always an option for the future.”
Jose Enrique remains cautious over returning to action this weekend after being subbed off early with a hamstring problem in Liverpool’s win at West Ham last Sunday. Speaking to the club’s official website, the left-back revealed:
“I am okay, but I don’t know if I’ll be ready for the game. It’s nothing bad, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to play. I’ve had some treatment and then we will see. I hope I can be fit for the game.”
The non-committal statement leaves Enrique’s Fantasy owners in something of a predicament ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Liverpool’s strong home form, allied with an eye-catching run of games, is set to earn them plenty investment as they look to continue their climb up the table – while Enrique’s recent form suggests he could well be primed for points, a possible absence for a couple of weeks may persuade many to sell as the schedule begins to pick up pace. Rodgers’ Friday press conference will be keenly awaited, then, with Glen Johnson’s back-to-back double figure returns in the last two presenting us with an alternative route into the Reds’ defence.
West Brom assistant boss Keith Downing rolled out an injury update ahead of this weekend’s home showdown with West Ham. Speaking on the possible availability of Liam Ridgewell, Claudio Yacob and Ben Foster, he revealed:
“None of them are training at the moment but we’re hopeful we’ll have them all back in later this week, maybe Thursday or Friday. Obviously we’re going to see how they do during that day or two. Ridgewell’s injury is a strange one because it looked innocuous and he sort of played the ball down the line and then felt something pop. He obviously couldn’t carry on, and knowing Liam as I know him, he will generally play on in a fair bit of discomfort. Having said that, I don’t think it’s as serious as we first thought it was when he came off. We’re hopeful that all three will be involved in some level of training by the end of the week.”
A potential return for Foster would surely boost the Baggies chances of picking up a clean sheet after a recent run of poor defensive displays. Steve Clarke’s side have failed to keep out their opponents since Gameweek 10 – coincidentally, Foster’s last appearance before he was sidelined after a groin operation. Indeed, Foster has registered four clean sheets in six at the Hawthorns this term and with three home games in the next five (WHM, NOR, FUL) West Brom’s defence may be a little more appealing.
Yacob’s comeback could be crucial for James Morrison’s owners. The Scot dropped deeper to cover for the Argentine’s absence last weekend and is likely to continue alongside Youssouf Mulumbu if Yacob fails to make it. Ridgewell returned to the first-team fold at Arsenal last week after a one-game rest but lasted just five minutes before being replaced by Goran Popov – with Clarke admitting he was prepared to rest and rotate over the festive schedule earlier this month, it seems unlikely he will take any chances with the trio.
Hatem Ben Arfa is a doubt once again for Newcastle ahead of tomorrow’s home game with City. The Frenchman only returned from a hamstring injury at Fulham last Monday but, according to Alan Pardew, has yet to fully recover:
“His hamstring is still a problem and he is a doubt. We are looking weak with injuries and suspensions and even after this morning we are sweating on Hatem for the game at the weekend.”
Ben Arfa’s possible absence would be a real blow for the Magpies as they look to address a run of just one win in the last seven Gameweeks. Pardew’s recent change of formation to 4-3-3 had an instant impact upon Ben Arfa’s Fantasy fortunes – fielded on the left of a front three at the Cottage, he fired home his first goal since Gameweek 3 to hint at his potential. Stationed mainly wide right in a 4-4-2 for much of the season, Ben Arfa’s appeal has been drastically curtailed but with Pardew returning to his favoured formation, he had started to creep back onto Fantasy radars. Given the club’s current injury situation, though, Pardew will likely be cautious with Ben Arfa for fear of losing him over the packed Christmas program, with Sylvain Marveaux likely to deputise against the champions should he be ruled out.
