Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic are rested for Chelsea’s Europa Cup clash with Sparta Prague this evening. Alan Pardew is uncertain whether Hatem Ben Arfa will be ready to return this weekend, Andre Villas-Boas reckons Emmanuel Adebayor will find his form again, Brek Shea could be handed a league debut for Stoke this Saturday, while Titus Bramble is determined to keep his first-team berth at the heart of Sunderland’s back-four:
Squad rotation was the main topic of conversation for Rafa Benitez’s press conference yesterday. The Chelsea boss was speaking ahead of this evening’s Europa League last 32, second leg against Sparta Prague and with the Blues 1-0 up from the away trip, he has decided to omit a couple of regulars from the squad ahead of Sunday’s crucial trip to City:
“It’s important to be fit and train properly, and Frank (Lampard) will not be in the squad tomorrow as we have to manage the group and think about all the other games. Obviously Demba Ba is unavailable, but Branislav Ivanovic will also not be involved. To play every game because we didn’t have the options is a problem, but at least now we will have fresh legs almost for every game…We have a lot of confidence and the good thing is that there’s competition between the players, that’s important, especially if you play twice a week. We have more competition now, which is a problem, but it’s good for me. It’s good because we have so many games and it’s important to have the whole squad available.”
Benitez’s decision to hand Lampard a rest bodes well for the midfielder’s game time at the Etihad this weekend. Having started nine of the last 10 in the league, he’s been one of few players who seemed immune to his manager’s obsession with rotation but with John Obi Mikel back from African Cup of Nations duties, Lampard can finally put his feet up. With eight goals in those nine matches, the veteran has been a huge differential and despite rising 0.2 in FPL over the past couple of Gameweeks, still has just 5% ownership. Ivanovic’s owners will also be boosted by Benitez’s decision to hand him a rest – with John Terry and David Luiz both fit and available to cover at centre-half this evening after recent injuries, the Serbian looks likely to return refreshed for the City clash. Although Ba is cup-tied, which may suggest a return to league action this weekend with Fernando Torres leading the line this evening, Fantasy managers have clearly had enough of trying to second-guess Benitez – over 43,000 have already sold him on prior to the weekend’s deadline.
Alan Pardew has admitted Hatem Ben Arfa remains a real doubt for Newcastle’s home clash with Southampton this weekend. Speaking ahead of the club’s Europa Cup trip to Metalist Kharkiv this evening, the Magpies boss – who also revealed Davide Santon has been left behind due to an ankle knock – conceded the Frenchman is still some way short of fitness after spending months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury:
“He has only been with us for two days from Clairefontaine, who have put him in a fantastic physical condition for us. We are very pleased with their contribution and we thank them for that. He looks short of match-fitness, but we hope to get him up to speed perhaps for the next round, if we make it. Sunday might me be too early for him too, but certainly Swansea, I would be looking for him to have some sort of cameo role from the bench if he progresses well.”
The upcoming schedule is sure to earn Ben Arfa new investors, once finally fit and ready. With games against Stoke, Wigan, Fulham and Sunderland in four of the five after the Gameweek 28 trip to Swansea, there’s certainly plenty potential for points if Newcastle maintain their encouraging form – Moussa Sissoko has already racked up 50,000+ new owners heading into the weekend but with just 4.5% ownership in FPL, Ben Arfa looks a real differential if he can make it for this weekend or the following Saturday’s trip to the Liberty.
Andre Villas-Boas remains optimistic that Jermain Defoe will be back in time for Tottenham’s trip to West Ham this Gameweek. The forward has been left out of the squad that travelled to Lyon ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash but according to his manager:
“Hopefully he’ll be back on Monday, but we don’t want to rush any decision.”
Reports in the Telegraph, however, suggest Defoe has yet to return to training since limping off at West Brom earlier this month and may be struggling to recover in time. It’s perhaps telling that Villas-Boas went out of his way to talk up Emmanuel Adebayor yesterday – despite the Togo international scoring just twice in the league so far, his manager remains confident he will soon hit the goal trail and also dismissed any notions that the forward has been affected by criticism over a perceived lack of work rate:
“”He can still be the player we saw last season. We’re trying to unlock the best out of the player. Last year shows as an example for what we’re trying to get out of him. Strikers live off goals and we’re doing everything we can to try and unlock his full potential. I’m not sure if it bothers him (the criticism). Players build their own motivations. Perceptions and media opinions can influence the public in general, but I think the player strives on his own motivation in the end. I think he’s working as hard. The injuries he had and the African Nations Cup took him out for lots of games and Defoe’s form this year had been magnificent.”
Stoke coach Mark O’Connor has revealed new boy Brek Shea could come into contention for this Saturday’s trip to Fulham. The US international has featured for the reserves twice in the past week and found the net in a recent match with Burnley – having recovered from a recent injury, he is now in Tony Pulis’ thoughts for the Cottagers clash:
“It was nice for Brek to play another game. He’s getting to know his team-mates and developing that understanding the more they play together. He comes into our thinking for Fulham. He is in the mind of the manager… his position is definitely on the left-side of midfield.”
Earlier this morning, however, Pulis spoke of Shea’s chance for the Fulham game in a 9am press conference and also commented on Marc Wilson’s situation, after the left-back came through another reserve match unscathed earlier this week:
“Brek’s had four months off with injury so it’s like a pre-season for him. Whether we start him on Saturday remains to be seen…We’re desperate to get Marc back into the team. He’s taken his time, and he’s now very close to coming back.”
While Stoke’s away record has been dire, with a single goal in their last five road trips, they’ve impressed in front of goal at the Britannia in recent matches – scoring at least twice in four of the last five in front of their own fans. With three home games in the following five (WHM WBA, AVL) Shea, who is priced at 5.0 in FPL, could well be an intriguing option, should he nail down a starting berth. Matt Etherington has started 15 of the last 16 league matches but could well be under threat from the new boy, given that he’s failed to produce a goal or assist all season.
Titus Bramble has spoken of his determination to retain a starting berth in the heart of the Sunderland defence:
“Every player wants a run in the side and in recent weeks I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to do that. You never know if you are going to be in the team from week to week, so it’s important to keep working hard in training to make sure of your place. This is one of the longer runs I’ve had and I’m really happy to be playing. I’m enjoying my football. Everyone wants to be in the team and that’s when you’re at your happiest. That’s why you have to keep impressing in training, so that when the chance comes you’re ready for it. There’s been chances for everyone this season because injuries and suspensions do happen.”
A hamstring injury to Carlos Cuellar afforded Bramble the chance to partner John O’Shea at centre-half in Gameweek 22 and, at home in particular, he’s been impressive with just one goal conceded in three at the Stadium of Light. Despite Cuellar’s return to fitness for the Gameweek 26 clash with Arsenal, Bramble still kept his place ahead of the Spaniard and other options such as Matt Kilgallon and Kader Mangane – he’s now started the last five under Martin O’Neill and coming in at 4.3 in FPL, could offer a cut-price route into the Black Cats backline ahead of four decent looking fixtures (wba, FUL, qpr, NOR).
