Chelsea get the better of FC Basel in the first leg Europa League semi-final thanks to a last-gasp free-kick from David Luiz. Sir Alex Ferguson indicates he’s likely to rotate his squad over the last four Gameweeks, Andre Villas-Boas discusses his forward selection problem ahead of Spurs’ trip to Wigan, Brendan Rodgers admits Daniel Sturridge’s game time has been hampered by downtime in training, while Michael Turner is out for Norwich’s crucial trip to Stoke this weekend:
Chelsea took a major step towards the Europa League final last night with a crucial 2-1 win over FC Basel in Switzerland thanks to goals from Victor Moses and David Luiz. Rafa Benitez made four changes from the side that drew at Anfield on Sunday. Fit-again Ashley Cole replaced Ryan Bertrand at left-back, while John Terry returned at centre-half as Luiz was moved into central midfield with John Obi Mikel dropping out. Oscar and Juan Mata also shifted to the bench, with Frank Lampard and Moses handed starts – the former pair came on as late second-half subs, while Eden Hazard lasted 71 minutes ahead of Sunday’s home showdown with Swansea. Gary Cahill also returned from injury but was an unused sub for the Blues.
Sir Alex Ferguson gave Fantasy managers some cause for concern yesterday after revealing he plans to utilise the depth of his squad over the final four Gameweeks of the season. While the United boss admitted he will bring back Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand at centre-half and shift Phil Jones into midfield for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, he is also keen to give several players the chance of increased game time from here on in:
“A lot of younger players, the ones who have been on the fringes for the last few weeks, and I desperately want them to feel their contribution has been big. Chicharito, Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Nani – I think it’s important to get them involved in the last few weeks.”
Robin Van Persie owners will be anxious over his manager’s intentions – the Dutchman’s nearest rival for the Golden Boot, Luis Suarez, is suspended for the season and with Van Persie ahead by 24 goals to 23, Ferguson may decide to ease the forward’s game time over the remaining four matches. It hands Van Persie’s owners a real dilemma, though; transferring him out just as he has hit a purple patch could easily backfire – it’s likely that Ferguson will start the Dutchman against former club Arsenal this weekend, though, before assessing his options over the final three games. With a Gameweek 36 clash against nemesis Rafa Benitez, though, it’s conceivable that Ferguson will retain the Dutchman against Chelsea, too, but with six other sides preparing for a double, the idea of transferring Van Persie out is made a little easier to stomach.
Ander Villas-Boas has conceded he faces a real dilemma up front this weekend as Spurs make their way to Wigan. Jermain Defoe’s impressive sub display after emerging from the bench to score against City last weekend means his manager is uncertain whether to start the England international ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor at the DW:
“Yes, it’s a big decision (to choose between Defoe and Adebayor), but we are extremely happy. It’s very important for us to have Jermain back, particularly because he found the back of the net. Goalkeepers have been making impossible saves against him and he finally got the ball in the net the other day with a tremendous goal that helped us get the three points. It’s good because he had a blip in terms of goals, not performances – he was always sharp – but he had a couple of injuries. Now he is back he gives us that quality and confidence by scoring.”
Over 45,00 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have now transferred in Defoe this week – second only to Carlos Tevez for forwards – but there remains no guarantee he will get the nod over Adebayor. Only one of Defoe’s last six league appearances has been in the first XI and while the Togo international has hardly been prolific – with two goals to his name since January – he’s seen as a better foil for Gareth Bale, with his less selfish style of play opening up space for Bale to capitalise from when playing in “the hole”. A move to the 4-3-3 system that Villas-Boas opted for in the second-half against City may be more suitable for Defoe, though with Aaron Lennon also back, there’d be no surprise if Spurs went 4-2-3-1 again, with Bale back in the middle.
Brendan Rodgers has revealed Daniel Sturridge’s omission from the Liverpool starting XI in recent weeks has been due to the forward being unable to train on a number of occasions. Sturridge has been bothered by a thigh problem since moving to Merseyside last January and has started just one of the last four league games, with his manager admitting yesterday:
“He’s fitted into the football club really well. He missed a bit of training last week but if we can keep him fit and keep him out on the training field, he’s got the potential to be a top European striker and that’s hopefully something he can fulfil here at the club. The success for Daniel will be making sure we can get him out on the training field every day, and once he does that he’s ready and prepared fully for the games. He’s only been here a short time, but in the times he has trained and then gone out and played, he’s shown he is one of the top strikers in the country.”
With Luis Suarez banned for 10 games, Liverpool’s reliance on Sturridge is greater than ever – not only for the remainder of this season but also for the start of the following campaign, given the extent of the Uruguayan’s suspension. Reds coach Mike Marsh admitted earlier in the week that Fabio Borini may be fit enough for a bench role against Newcastle this weekend but with little other forward options, Sturridge looks set to lead the line – with five goals and four assists in just 10 appearances, he’s already picked up over 30,000 new owners this week.
Michael Turner has been ruled out of Norwich’s trip to Stoke with a groin problem. The centre-half was forced off with less than 20 minutes on the clock in last week’s win over Reading and with Chris Hughton also revealing he is “touch and go” for next week’s home game with Villa, it’s a bitter blow for the 15,000 Fantasy managers who transferred him in prior to last Saturday’s deadline. Leon Barnett has been recalled from a loan spell at Cardiff and could come into contention – although Turner’s replacement Ryan Bennett impressed with a goal against the Royals, he has since been charged by the FA for twitter comments and may be disciplined by the club, bringing his starting role against the Potters into question.
