With Southampton and West Ham’s Europa League duties set to bring the curtain down on pre-season tonight, as a compliment to our guide, we roll out the first of a two-part series analysing the hectic summer schedule. Our first article takes a look at all teams from Arsenal up to Man United, assessing those players with the most frequent pitch time as he hunt for clues to the weekend starting line-ups ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
ARSENAL
Top Minutes Played
Monreal 360, Coquelin 298, Oxlade-Chamberlain 285, Cazorla 283, Ozil 280, Ramsey 270, Koscielny 270, Mertesacker 270, Cech 270, Bellerin 268, Walcott 231, Giroud 186
Lessons Learned
At the back, Arsenal’s pre-season matches suggest Arsene Wenger’s preferred backline consists of Nacho Monreal, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin. Mathieu Debuchy registered just 182 minutes of playing time, and coming back from ankle, shoulder and hamstring injuries last season, may need more minutes under his belt to return to somewhere near his best. Likewise, Kieran Gibbs only played 188 minutes, with two starts compared to four for Monreal.
In midfield, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla were right at the top of the minutes played table, suggesting that they will form the double-pivot as they did for the final few months of last season. With Jack Wilshere only logging 110 minutes and now a ruled out with another ankle injury, it looks Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are in the box seats to start in the three attacking midfield positions in Wenger’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. But if he opts for Olivier Giroud up front, which doesn’t look particularly likely given the Frenchman was only afforded 24 minutes as a substitute against Chelsea in the Community Shield, Theo Walcott, who is the favourite to start in the central forward role, could be shifted out wide, possibly at the expense of Chamberlain.
ASTON VILLA
Top Minutes Played
Westwood 441, Sinclair 421, Bacuna 415, Richards 392, Clark 379, Kozak 372, Bunn 360, Hutton 356, Amavi 341, Robinson 286, Agbonlahor 218, Baker 218
Lessons Learned
With Tim Sherwood very active in the transfer market throughout pre-season, the minutes played totals could be slightly misleading when trying to assess what side the former Tottenham boss will put out against Bournemouth on Saturday.
In goal, Brad Guzan hasn’t featured once for Villa in pre-season, after a busy summer of football playing for the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Guzan logged 570 minutes in that tournament, while he also played every minute of the three friendlies before the competition started. But Sherwood has confirmed Guzan is his first choice keeper, and you’d therefore think will start between the sticks against the Cherries, with Mark Bunn offering back-up.
In front of the American, Micah Richards and Ciaran Clark played the most minutes out of the centre-backs in pre-season, with new left-back Jordan Amavi starting four of Villa’s last five pre-season matches. On the other side, the situation is less clear, with Leandro Bacuna having also featured further forward during pre-season, although new signing Jordan Ayew could play of the right of the attacking three if Sherwood rolls out the 4-3-3 formation, meaning Bacuna could get the nod ahead of Alan Hutton at right-back. Jose Angel Crespo picked up a knee injury on his debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and is a doubt for the season opener.
Ashley Westwood played every minute of Villa’s last three pre-season friendlies, and looks pretty certain to start as the deepest midfield player against Bournemouth. Idrissa Gueye has started two of the last three since joining from Lille, and could well join Westwood in the engine room. Jordan Veretout made his debut in the final pre-season friendly, playing 45 minutes, although he could be short of match fitness. Carlos Sanchez played 243 minutes for Colombia in Copa America, and like Veretout, was only given 45 minutes against Forest after returning to the fold.
In attack, Libor Kozak’s pre-season minutes would suggest he’s favourite to lead the line, although Rudy Gestede arrived from Blackburn last week and could be thrown straight into the starting XI. Scott Sinclair has only missed 20 minutes of Villa’s last three matches and could well start of the left of the front three or 4-4-2, with the previously mentioned Ayew or Gabriel Agbonlahor the leading contenders to play on the right, although the latter missed the Forest match with a foot injury and is a doubt. Ayew could also feature through the middle if Sherwood opts for two up top.
BOURNEMOUTH
Top Minutes Played
King 298, Federici 270, Francis 270, Distin 270, Cook 270, Daniels 270, Cargill 270, Ritchie 270, Pugh 270, O’Kane 270, Elphick 269, Smith 268, Macdonald 266, Gosling 266, Surman 266, Wilson 260, Stanislas 253
Lessons Learned
Although Adam Federici played 45 minutes more than Artur Boruc in pre-season, the Poland international started the final friendly against Hoffenheim and is expected to get the nod the Saturday’s home encounter with Aston Villa.
In defence, seven players logged around 270 minutes during pre-season, but summer signing Tyrone Mings and Simon Francis are expected to occupy the full-back positions, with captain Tommy Elphick set to partner either Steve Cook or Sylvain Distin, who joined the Cherries from Everton on a free transfer.
Joshua King logged the most minutes out of any Bournemouth player, but with Max Gradel and Lee Tomlin both joining in the last few days, he could miss out on a starting berth on the left flank. Christian Atsu picked up a knock against Yeovil and is a doubt, so even if he recovers, is another unlikely to start. One of last season’s stars Matt Ritchie should feature on the right, but with Harry Arter yet to feature during pre-season because of a groin injury, it’s slightly tougher to predict who will start in the middle of the park. Andrew Surman is likely to get the nod, with either Eunan O’Kane or Dan Gosling possibly starting alongside the former Norwich man.
Callum Wilson should spearhead the attack, but Yann Kermorgant has only played 35 minutes of Bournemouth’s last three friendlies and is a doubt with a foot injury, so one of either Gradel or Tomlin could be handed a start “in the hole”. Tokelu Rantie has played 35 minutes in pre-season, but it would be a surprise if the South Africa international was handed a start alongside Wilson.
CHELSEA
Top Minutes Played
Ivanovic 360, Azpilicueta 354, Zouma 336, Cahill 312, Hazard 310, Matic 310, Fabregas 298, Terry 292, Courtois 270, Oscar 248, Moses 243, Ramires 189, Willian 188, Begovic 180, Costa 175
Lessons Learned
Jose Mourinho has continued to favour the 4-2-3-1 formation, with his only real headache coming to the new season regarding Diego Costa’s hamstring. He is a serious doubt for the opening day clash at home to Swansea, with Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy set to deputise.
In the attacking midfield positions, Eden Hazard has seen plenty of pre-season action, while Willian has logged 188 minutes for the Blues after playing 305 minutes for Brazil in Copa America. With Nemanja Matic a sure starter at the base of midfield, it looks to be a question of whether Oscar or Ramires are chosen in the starting XI. Both have had full pre-seasons after failing to make the Brazil squad, so if Oscar gets the nod, Cesc Fabregas would likely play in the double-pivot alongside Matic, or the Spaniard could play as the “number ten” if Ramires is selected, although he too can operate further forward. Juan Cuadrado played 390 minutes for Colombia in Copa America and has only managed 73 minutes for the Blues in pre-season, so he is only likely to be among the substitutes.
While Kurt Zouma has seen plenty of pre-season action, the back four of Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta looks very settled, with Thibaut Courtois to start in goal. Summer arrival Asmir Begovic will offer back-up.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Top Minutes Played
Ward 384, Hangeland 363, Dann 315, Puncheon 301, Mutch 285, Gayle 285, Souare 284, Delaney 282, Kelly 265, Ledley 250, McCarthy 250, Hennessey 245, Lee Chung-yong 224, McArthur 210, Jedinak 208
Campbell 203
Lessons Learned
Since arriving at Selhurst Park, Alex McCarthy has started three of Palace’s four matches, so the former QPR goalkeeper could well start against Norwich ahead of Wayne Hennessey, with Julian Speroni ruled out with a hand injury.
At the back, Scott Dann looks a sure starter, while Joel Ward, who featured more than any other Palace player during pre-season, also expected to feature in Alan Pardew’s starting XI, most likely at right-back. Damien Delaney and Papa Souare started alongside Dann and Ward in Palace’s toughest friendly against Sporting Lisbon, and could complete the back four, although Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly have played regularly through pre-season and could gain selection.
Pardew is expected to continue with a 4-2-3-1 formation, so it looks like two of James McArthur, Mile Jedinak and Yohan Cabaye will play in the double-pivot. Cabaye picked up a dead leg in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham, and only managed to play 45 minutes but has since been declared available for the trip to Carrow Road. Joe Ledley is perhaps slightly down the pecking order, having only played a total of 45 minutes in the matches against Sporting Lisbon and Fulham.
There is plenty of competition for the three attacking midfield positions, although Yannick Bolasie has only managed to play 45 minutes during pre-season because of a hamstring niggle. Wilfried Zaha has also had a toe problem, although the former Man United winger did play 45 minutes against Fulham and – like Bolasie – will be available for Saturday. Jason Puncheon should join Zaha in midfield, having featured regularly during pre-season, while this week’s new signings Connor Wickham, Patrick Bamford and Bakary Sako are both comfortable playing on the left and could come straight into the starting XI. Glenn Murray started the matches against Sporting and Fulham but with reports building of a move to Bournemouth, Wickham could also come into the equation here.
EVERTON
Top Minutes Played
Cleverley 450, McCarthy 410, Jagielka 399, Browning 384, Naismith 365, Stones 361, Coleman 360, Barry 360, Barkley 359, Howard 215, Robles 315, Osman 299, Mirallas 290, Kone 283, Lukaku 273
Lessons Learned
Tim Howard and Joel Robles played exactly the same number of minutes during pre-season, but the former played in the final pre-season match against Villarreal behind the back four of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, John Stones and Seamus Coleman. Providing Stones shakes off an ankle injury picked up against the Spanish outfit, that should be the defence that plays against Watford on Saturday. If the Chelsea target did fail to recover, youngster Tyias Browning could step in, having featured regularly through pre-season.
Tom Cleverley and James McCarthy logged the most minutes out of the Everton midfielders, and should feature in the double-pivot if Roberto Martinez sticks to his favoured 4-2-3-1 system. But Gareth Barry played the full 90 minutes against Villarreal, so Cleverley could figure in a more advanced role, particularly bearing in mind Kevin Mirallas (ankle) and more so Gerard Deulofeu (hamstring) are doubts for Saturday. Should those two miss out, two from Ross Barkley, Steven Naismith and Leon Osman could join Cleverley in the attacking midfield trio. The other alternative would be to play Arouna Kone in one of the wide roles, although that’s probably unlikely.
Romelu Lukaku missed the matches against Leeds and Villarreal last weekend as a precaution after tweaking his hamstring against Dundee. But the Belgian international had featured regularly before that point and should lead the line providing he makes a full recovery.
LEICESTER
Top Minutes Played
Schmeichel 270, Huth 253, Schlupp 253, Mahrez 253, Drinkwater 253, King 253, Kramaric 242, Moore 242, Chilwell 242, De Laet 242, Vardy 235, Albrighton 235, Okazaki 215, Wasilewski 208, Ulloa 208
Lessons Learned
Claudio Ranieri has largely stuck with the 3-4-1-2 system that was so successful for Nigel Pearson at the end of last season during pre-season. Kasper Schmeichel leads the way for minutes played and will surely start in goal.
Wes Morgan has declared himself “fit and ready to go” for the season opener at home to Sunderland, despite playing 810 minutes for Jamaica this summer in Copa America and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Robert Huth looks certain of a place at the back, but the other spot could be hotly contested, with Marcin Wasilewski, Christian Fuchs, Liam Moore and Yohan Benalouane, who joined on Monday from Atalanta, all possibilities. Even youngster Liam Chilwell could be in the mix given he’s featured heavily during the last few weeks. Jeffrey Schlupp may be slightly ahead of Fuchs in terms of starting at left wing-back, having played every minute of the Foxes last two friendlies against Rotherham United and Birmingham City. On the other side, Marc Albrighton has clocked up plenty of minutes as a right wing-back, and is the expected starter, with Danny Simpson the alternative.
Danny Drinkwater and Andy King have by some distance played the most minutes out of the Leicester central midfield options, so appear likely starters on Saturday. But N’Golo Kante was signed from French club Caen earlier this week and may be drafted in for his debut, with few options available to Ranieri with Matty James out with a long-term knee injury. Riyad Mahrez has played much of pre-season “in the hole”, and has scored twice, so appears to be the clear favourite to start in that position.
In attack, the picture is less clear. Leonardo Ulloa played the most minutes (135) out of any of the forwards in the final two pre-season matches, but Andrej Kramaric has featured heavily during the last few weeks. Those two look set to compete for the target man role, with Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki vying for the other position up front, with the former looking likelier to start on Saturday.
LIVERPOOL
Top Minutes Played
Skrtel 405, Henderson 396, Clyne 394, Milner 387, Lallana 376, Ibe 344, Lovren 315, Mignolet 315, Ings 297, Lucas 293, Sakho 286, Origi 273, Toure 254, Gomez 232, Markovic 231, Moreno 214
Lessons Learned
The signing of Nathaniel Clyne seems to have brought an end to Liverpool’s three-man defence, with Brendan Rodgers consistently playing four at the back during pre-season. As the minutes suggest, the former Southampton defender and Martin Skrtel look “nailed on” starters, as does Simon Mignolet in goal. Dejan Lovren played alongside that trio against HJK Helsinki, and is perhaps the slight favourite to partner the Slovakian over Mamadou Sakho. Interestingly, Joe Gomez also started in Finland, while the summer signing from Charlton has also played more minutes than other left-back contender Alberto Moreno.
Newly appointed captain Jordan Henderson and summer arrival, James Milner, lead the minutes played by midfielders and should form part of a three-man midfield. After conceding six when they visited the Britannia on the final day of last season, and given he’s played 293 minutes during pre-season, Lucas may be the one to join the England duo in the engine room. Emre Can played 347 minutes for Germany under-21s, and only returned to action for the Reds against Swindon on Sunday, playing 76 minutes. Joe Allen picked up a hamstring injury in that match, and is expected to be ruled out of the season opener.
The pre-season minutes could be slightly misleading in terms of providing clues as to who could start against Stoke, with Christian Benteke only playing 67 minutes since making the move to Anfield. Philippe Coutinho played 202 minutes in the Copa America for Brazil and only returned to action for Liverpool against HJK Helsinki, although he did play 90 minutes. He looks set to feature in one of the wide attacking roles then, although fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino logged 241 minutes in Copa America and only managed 67 minutes against Swindon. Given he’s also just settling into life in England, it could be that Adam Lallana, or even Jordan Ibe could be handed a start on the right of the attacking trio, having played regularly over the past few weeks. Rodgers isn’t short of options though, with Danny Ings and Divock Origi alternatives, although if he decides on a 4-3-3 system, they appear more likely to miss out.
MANCHESTER CITY
Top Minutes Played
Navas 336, Hart 315, Sagna 302, Kolarov 290, Silva 266, Sterling 266, Denayer 257, Nasri 243, Mangala 225, Kompany 217, Fernando 200, Toure 198
Lessons Learned
City have probably been hit more than any other team by the summer’s international football, with Pablo Zabaleta (486 minutes), Sergio Aguero (386), Fernandinho (360) and Martin Demichelis (300) racking up the Copa America minutes. All are regular starters, but have failed to kick a ball during pre-season after returning to training at the end of July. At this point, it remains to be seen whether any will start against West Brom, with Aguero – along with David Silva and Samir Nasri – expected to shrug off a stomach bug in time for Monday evening’s match.
Manuel Pellegrini’s main problem during pre-season has been the lack of available forwards. Wilfried Bony played his first 45 minutes of the campaign against Stuttgart on Saturday, but will probably still lack match fitness heading into the new season. Stevan Jovetic has joined Inter Milan, while Edin Dzeko will soon complete his move to Roma. Young Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho has impressed in his 186 minutes of pitch time, but it could be that Raheem Sterling is handed the lone forward role. The 20-year-old has impressed since making the move to the Etihad, and while he has only featured in the attacking midfield positions, there are serious question marks over Bony’s fitness and Iheanacho’s lack of experience.
Providing he’s recovered, Silva looks a sure starter, while Jesus Navas has played the most minutes of any City player, and could line up on the right flank in Pellegrini’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Nasri also has plenty of minutes under his belt, and if Sterling does start up front, could feature in the starting XI. Fabian Delph picked up a hamstring injury on his city debut and probably won’t be fit for Monday, while Yaya Toure should be available, although he has missed City’s last two matches after suffering concussion against Real Madrid on July 24. He could partner Fernando in the double-pivot.
At the back, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart looks the only sure starters, while Aleksandar Kolarov has played 130 more minutes than Gael Clichy during the last few weeks, and could start at left-back. Despite featuring slightly less than young Belgian centre-back Jason Denayer, Eliaquim Mangala is the favourite to partner Kompany at the heart of the City defence, while Bacary Sagna will line up at left-back if Zabaleta isn’t considered for the trip to the Hawthorns.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Top Minutes Played
Rooney 243, Depay 243, Darmian 243, Blind 243, Carrick 234, Mata 234, Shaw 218, Jones 218, Johnstone 207, Young 198, Schneiderlin 198, Pereira 162, Smalling 142
Lessons Learned
Louis van Gaal has been very consistent with his selection through pre-season, with the 4-2-3-1 formation used in the majority of the friendlies. In goal, young Sam Johnstone has managed nearly double the amount of playing time David de Gea (108) has managed, but the Spain international is expected to line up against Tottenham on Saturday.
The Dutch boss has been pretty consistent in favouring Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Matteo Darmian as his preferred back four, with Chris Smalling, playing just 142 minutes, perhaps set to miss out against Spurs. Marcos Rojo played 570 minutes for Argentina in Copa America, and is yet to don a United shirt in pre-season, while Antonia Valencia only managed 52 minutes in substitute appearances against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been limited to 135 minutes for his new side because of a minor injury, but with Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin getting good minutes under their belt, those two could play at the base of the United midfield. If Van Gaal sticks with the 4-2-3-1, Ashley Young, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata look the strong favourites to play in the attacking midfield positions, based on the pre-season minutes. Ander Herrera surprisingly only managed 117 minutes only the past few weeks, but with Marouane Fellaini suspended, Herrera would perhaps be the most likely to come into the starting XI if the former Holland boss opts for a 4-3-3- formation. Young would perhaps be the man to miss out in that scenario.
United captain Wayne Rooney was one of four players to total 243 minutes of pre-season action, and looks set to lead the line in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. Javier Hernandez picked up a shoulder injury playing for Mexico during the summer, and could be set to depart Old Trafford in any case, so James Wilson, who has logged 117 minutes during pre-season, will offer the back-up to Rooney.
