Cesc Fabregas is in the goals as Chelsea draw at home with Schalke. City slump to a late defeat in Bayern. Daniel Sturridge is back in light training for Liverpool, Roberto Soldado is available for Tottenham, while Neil Warnock talks up Dwight Gayle’s prospects for the season ahead.
Cesc Nets in Blues Home Draw
Jose Mourinho made four changes from the side that beat Swansea last Saturday and switched to a 4-3-3 as Chelsea stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Schalke at the Bridge. Diego Costa was rested to the bench as Didier Drogba led the line, while Filipe Luis, Willian and Ramires came in for Cesar Azplicueta, Oscar and Andre Schurrle. Eden Hazard teed up Cesc Fabregas for the hosts only goal, with Costa’s introduction on 74 minutes unable to make an impact.
After the match, Mourinho discussed his decision to bench the Spain international and admitted that his star striker is not yet ready to start two matches in a week as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem:
“If he has one week to let the muscle recover he can start a game. Playing on Saturday, three days is not enough for him to recover. It was not to protect for the game Sunday (at Manchester City) it was because today he was not in condition to start the game. Today he was not in condition to play. Sunday we believe he is. Next week against Bolton (in the Capital One Cup) for sure he isn’t. We have to manage the situation until the moment he’s completely fine. If today he starts the game, for sure he cannot play on Sunday. We have to go step by step.”
The Scout Says: The result certainly shows just how important to Chelsea’s fortunes the Spain international already is. Seven goals in four appearances has fired the Blues to the top of the table but without Costa on board, Mourinho’s side scored just once from 18 attempts on goal. With a trip to City this weekend, Mourinho is clearly taking few chances as he looks for a fifth successive win – as we’ve seen in the previous two Gameweeks, though, his powers of recovery should ease any worries over his starting role at the Etihad. Fabregas’ form continues to strengthen his claim as our Chelsea midfielder of choice, though Mourinho’s backline shows little sign of improving, with just a single clean sheet in five fixtures in all competitions.
City Suffer Late Loss
Manuel Pellegrini also made four alterations from his weekend line-up. Bacary Sagna came in for the suspended Pablo Zabaleta at right-back, while Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure replaced Sergio Aguero, Frank Lampard and James Milner. A last-gasp winner from former City defender Jerome Boateng ensured the Etihad side kicked off their campaign with a loss, though, as Manuel Pellegrini’s men managed just two shots on target over the entire evening.
The Scout Says: Aguero owners will be relieved that, just like Costa, he was afforded just 16 minutes last night ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea. As evidenced at the Allianz Arena, the Argentine’s absence curtailed his team’s attacking potential as Dzeko and Toure once again failed to deliver – the Bosnian’s single assist is all either player has to show for their displays in the league thus far. With Stevan Jovetic still sidelined, City once again rolled out a lone forward formation, though, and it remains to be seen whether Dzeko will retain his starting role for the weekend – with three goals in just 187 minutes, Aguero is surely nailed-on to face the Blues but Pellegrini faces a tough decision as to whether he should keep faith in the misfiring Dzeko or allow David Silva the chance to tuck in behind the South American as the champions attempt to end the last 100% record in the Premier League.
Soldado Back in Training for Tottenham
The Spurs forward is in contention to feature against Partizan Belgrade in this evening’s Europa League encounter after recovering from a neck problem.
The Scout Says: Having played just 11 minutes of Premier League action this term, the Spaniard continues to have little impact at White Hart Lane. Soldado’s only start under Mauricio Pochettino was in the Europa League against AEL Limassol last month and it seems that, even when fit, he’ll mainly be utilised in cup matches in order to preserve Emmanuel Adebayor for domestic action. Indeed, with a weekend home clash against West Brom up next, Soldado’s return to action would ensure Adebayor – now fourth in this week’s Captain Poll – would be fully refreshed for Sunday’s encounter as Spurs look to improve upon a run which has seen them take just two points from the last couple of matches. Furthermore, Pochettino has also confirmed the Togo international is one of five players (including Nacer Chadli, Moussa Dembele, Younes Kaboul and Danny Rose) to be rested for tonight’s match, highlighting just how crucial he is to Spurs’ domestic ambitions.
Warnock Full of Praise for Gayle
The new Palace boss indicated Dwight Gayle is set to play a more prominent role this season as he looks to restructure his attack after taking over from Tony Pulis last month:
“He played a bit-part role last season but I was determined to get him involved and that’s why he’s started my first two games. He will surprise a few people. I have been told he’s not a starter and things like that but I think his time has come. Tony didn’t pick him so often but different managers have players who fit in with they want to do.”
The Scout Says: Arriving for £6m from Gillingham last summer, Gayle was rarely utilised by Pulis after he replaced Ian Holloway at the helm. Nonetheless, despite a mere 892 minutes in last year’s Premier League, Gayle still managed to score seven times – finishing the campaign as the Eagles’ joint-top scorer with Jason Puncheon, who played 2,511 minutes by comparison. Named in Warnock’s starting XI in the last two, Gayle has already opened his account for the season and with matches against Leicester, Hull and West Brom in the next five, could be one to monitor in the budget bracket, at a price of just 5.4.
Schmeichel In Line For Foxes Return
The Leicester stopper could be back in action as quickly as this weekend, according to manager Nigel Pearson. Schmeichel missed last week’s win at Stoke after sustaining a minor knee problem whilst on international duties but his manager has confirmed:
“He’ll be increasing his workload in training this week and we’ll see how he is, but there’s a very strong possibility that he’ll be available for the weekend.”
The Scout Says: Schmeichel’s weekend absence ironically coincided with Leicester’s first clean sheet of the season. With Ben Hamer between the sticks, Pearson’s side emerged from the Britannia with a 1-0 win but there’s no doubt the Dane will be back in the starting XI if he proves his fitness. Certainly, a home clash with United will be testing this Sunday, though with some kind fixtures to follow, those eyeing up The Foxes may well be considering Jeffrey Schlupp – the 4.5-priced defender has now started the last three on the left of midfield.
Sturridge Steps Up Recovery
The Liverpool striker returned to light training yesterday, raising hopes he could be back in time for the Gameweek 6 Merseyside derby. Sturridge also took to twitter to roll out an update:
“Pushing myself to my limit right now for real. Closer to fitness each day!!”
The Scout Says: There’s no doubt the Reds have struggled in the last two matches without Sturridge on board. His thigh injury absence saw Brendan Rodgers shift to a lone forward system with Mario Balotelli leading the line, but a poor home display against Villa was followed by an unconvincing win in the Champions League on Tuesday. Sturridge’s return would not only be good news for Raheem Sterling owners, with the youngster expected to move back to the tip of a midfield diamond, it would bring the frontman onto our radars again as a relative differential – owned by just 13% of FPL managers, he has three home clashes (EVE, WBA, HUL) and a trip to QPR from Gameweek 6 onwards to immediately get back amongst the points.
