We scour the press conferences and post-match briefings again this lunchtime for the most pertinent quotes over the last few days. Louis van Gaal discusses Marouane Fellaini’s likely position, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s midfielders have plenty to say, Brendan Rodgers hails Christian Benteke, whilst Manuel Pellegrini acknowledges Raheem Sterling’s impact on the City attack.
Rodgers Reckons Benteke Adds Variety
Since making the switch to Liverpool, Christian Benteke has won more aerial duels (34) than any forward in the top-flight. In spite of this, not one of the Belgian’s eight attempts have been headers, with the Reds looking to utilise his abilities in a different way, enabling them to retain possession longer through hold-up play and knock-downs. Discussing the new boy’s impact, Brendan Rodgers insists that Benteke arrival adds a fresh dimension to Liverpool’s attacking repertoire:
“I think when you bring in a certain profile of player it gives you other options. One of the key things in bringing Christian here first foremost is he can play football. His touch is good, his ability to bring players into the game is good – whether that’s with his feet or a little cushioned header. What he gives us is that threat in the box. When the ball comes in he’s a striker in the area. There’s other ways of doing it, keeping the game alive. I think when you have a 6ft 4ins player like Christian he affects the game when the ball comes into the box because of his physicality and mobility. It keeps the game alive that bit longer. We want the unpredictability in our game. Our conditions of a game won’t change but hopefully because of the different types of players, and different strikers in particular, it gives us that unpredictability which is important.”
Pardew urges Zaha to improve
Following a disappointing first half at home to Aston Villa, Wilfried Zaha was replaced by Dwight Gayle at the break. Yannick Bolasie’s replacement, Bakary Sako, went on to secure the winner three minutes from time while also tallying more shots inside the box (five) and on target (five) than any midfielder last Gameweek. Eagles boss Alan Pardew warned Zaha that he risks losing his place in the side if he fails to match the standards met by the rest of Palace’s attacking contingent:
“We’ve stepped up a level, this team, and he has to step up with us. I’ve seen good reactions from him, but he is under pressure. Sako is going to put him under pressure, so will Yannick Bolasie when he returns from compassionate leave. And we haven’t seen Lee Chung-Yong yet. It’s a real nice problem there.”
Neil hails Brady impact
Deployed predominantly on the left wing during his time with Hull City, Robbie Brady has taken up the left-back role in Norwich’s opening three matches as Martin Olsson continues his recovery from shoulder surgery. In spite of this deep-lying role, the Ireland international notched an impressive three attempts and four key passes during the Canaries’ 1-1 draw with Stoke City, while the opposing right winger, Xherdan Shaqiri, was restricted to just one effort at goal. After just three matches, Brady has racked up nine shots and as many chances created for the season and his manager, Alex Neil, singled out his summer acquisition after the weekend 1-1 draw:
“I thought he was fantastic. He can play left back or left midfield and I felt he dealt with the boy Shaqiri pretty much the full game and also caused them problems going the other way. Some of the deliveries he put in were great and he has been fantastic since he came here. Obviously, Butland will get a lot of credit and he was good, but so were my 11 players. There are always key incidents in any game that make the difference and he was involved in three or four of them.”
Koeman explains formation change
Having witnessed his side concede five goals in the first two Gameweeks, Ronald Koeman switched from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 set-up for the Saints’ 0-0 draw at Watford. Jose Fonte, Maya Yoshida and Steven Caulker formed the centre-back trio, with Cedric Soares and Matt Targett operating as wing-backs. The Dutch manager said the change in formation improved their organisation at the back, which perhaps suggests he’ll retain this system in the coming weeks:
“It’s positive, because we received too many goals in the last two games. Five is too much in my opinion and that was the difference between the start of this season and last year. We did the system a little bit different, but it gave us confidence. We had good organisation compared to before. Now we had more security with the one more defender and we defended well. In the second half we had more domination in the game and we had some good opportunities. That’s different, but the rest of the team was the same like last year – good organisation, good teamwork. Then you need to score.”
Wenger details Cazorla’s central role
After deploying Santi Cazorla on the left wing in Arsenal’s season opener against West Ham United, Arsene Wenger has been quick to move the Spaniard back into the double-pivot alongside Francis Coquelin. Discussing his myriad of midfield options with the Gunners official website, Wenger conceded that the Spaniard is far more suited to a central role in his preferred 4-2-3-1 set-up:
“It is tricky, because he is an important player in the build-up of our game. He is naturally a guy who brings fluidity, and gets you out of tight situations. My thinking [putting him out wide] was more about physical power in the centre of the park, to win the ball back and be capable of winning challenges. Santi is a more technical player. And also to get him higher up, next to Ozil, to play through the lines, find those two, and combine in the final third. It worked sometimes, and sometimes not. The first goal in these games is vital. But anyway, against West Ham, I changed in the second half and brought Cazorla back to central midfield.”
Cazorla prefers deep-lying central berth
The Spaniard concurred with his manager after the tactical switch. Three Gameweeks into the new season, Cazorla already boasts 51 more touches (345) than any midfielder in the league. Certainly, the former Malaga playmaker is relishing the opportunity to serve as the metronome in Arsenal’s double pivot, with Alexis Sanchez’ return to the first XI in Gameweek 2 affording Cazorla the chance to move back into his preferred role in the centre of the park:
“I’m always ready to play in any position on the field. Luckily I’ve played in many different places, such as both wings, behind the striker or as a midfielder. Therefore, I am no stranger to this new position. As soon as the manager informed me about my role change, I told him I was ready for it. To be honest I’ve found myself very comfortable in this new position since the very first day. I’m a player who needs to touch the ball as much as possible and for any possible purpose on the pitch, from giving an assist to a short pass. The more I touch the ball, the more confident I get and that’s why I need to have contact with the ball. If I don’t touch it for a period of time I feel uneasy. Thanks to playing in this new position, I’m touching the ball a lot and that makes me happy. I’m loving my new position on the pitch.”
Ozil looking for goals
Mesut Ozil netted twice in Arsenal’s pre-season campaign but has failed to offer that same goal threat across the Gunners’ opening trio of fixtures. Poring over the stats from the North London club’s midfield starters, only Francis Coquelin (one) has fashioned fewer attempts at goal (four) than the World Cup winner. Although Ozil is keen to better the five-goal haul he recorded in his debut season with Arsenal, he concedes that he’s still more inclined to assist his team-mates than go for goal himself:
“I want to score more goals than in the last two seasons and that’s my aim for this season. What’s important firstly is that we are successful as a team. My aim is to help the team and I’ll do all I can to achieve that. In truth I’m more the sort of player who doesn’t really go for goal, I tend to look for my team-mates and think, ‘Can I play this pass?’ I think now and then I need to become a bit more selfish – then I’d definitely score more goals. But I’m a player who thinks for the team first and not for my own needs and that’s why I will carry on to play the way I always do. I think that’s one of my distinguishing characteristics.”
Van Gaal Looking to Use Fellaini Further Forward
Having served out a three-match ban that followed on from the previous campaign, Maroune Fellaini is back in contention for Manchester United. Particularly during the latter stages last term, the Belgium international was deployed in central midfield – usually alongside Ander Herrera – with Louis van Gaal favouring a 4-1-4-1 set-up. Now that the Red Devils have considerable strength in the deep-lying midfield positions after the recruitment of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, Van Gaal is keen for Fellaini to return to a more advanced berth, given that he tallied 11 goals and six assists in the number ten role in his final season for Everton:
“He can play as a no.9 or no.10 but also as a no.6 or no.8. This year, he will play as a no.9 or no.10 because we have other players for the no.6 and no.8 position. We have bought players in midfield and I see him now more as a no.9 or no.10. Last season, he scored a lot of goals for United and he has extra quality in the final third, so we can take profit from that.”
Smalling talks up Blind Partnership
In the absence of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling has been fielded alongside Daley Blind in the heart of Man United’s defence. The duo have started all five matches across all competitions and have struck up an impressive understanding, with the Red Devils conceding just once – at home to Club Brugges in the Champions League qualifiers. Smalling discussed the pair’s blossoming partnership with the local press earlier in the week:
“I have always liked that competition with the striker and obviously Daley is not that sort of centre-back who is going to dominate, so it’s a case of I take that mantle on and I am enjoying it. I wouldn’t say I hadn’t done it previously in games because I feel like I bullied quite a few players in matches. But it’s a case of making sure there is that consistency and, hopefully, I can get that consistency where it can be on show every week. I feel like I am playing well and I am enjoying my football. It is good to keep playing each game and knowing that there are not too many changes at the moment because we are doing well, so I hope to keep that up. It’s comfortable playing next to Daley. Sometimes if there is a big opponent we will swap around. But he can handle himself as well so I am enjoying playing alongside him”
Shaqiri on the Potters’ fluid attack
Stoke’s record signing Xherdan Shaqiri earned his debut against Norwich last weekend, serving up the assist for Mame Biram Diouf’s strike. Although the Switzerland international started on the right flank, he wasn’t limited to that side of the pitch, with Mark Hughes employing a fluid front line that allowed Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay, Marko Arnautovic and Diouf to interchange positions throughout. Shaqiri is now working to improve his fitness and is excited by the potential of the Potters attack as they begin to develop their synergy:
“It was my first 90 minutes for a long time – since I played for the national team early in the summer. That was good for me and my fitness. Of course towards the end I was a little bit tired but game by game I will get better and I’m happy to be on the way. I was happy to get an assist and hopefully it won’t be too long until I get my first goal either. In the front, all three of us can change every position. This makes you stronger as a team. We have the players who can do that and we showed that. We have players who are fast and can play with the ball. I think we must play together more and it will get even better.”
Monk backs Shelvey to reach new heights
Amid the goal scoring exploits of Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew, Jonjo Shelvey has been quietly excellent for Swansea in central midfield. The former Charlton man – who’s priced at just 5.5 on the Fantasy market – ranks joint-eighth for attempts (nine) among all midfielders this term, and has created more chances (13) than any player in the Premier League. Swans boss Gary Monk still thinks the best is yet to come from Shelvey, asserting that here’s plenty of untapped potential they can work to harness:
“I had a good chat with him at the end of last season and he started to work towards it and took it through the summer. He came back fitter. He is working hard and we are giving him all the help we can to make sure we get the best Jonjo. You can see what a fantastic player he is, but I think there is a hell of a lot more to come. We can easily get another 20 to 30 per cent out of Jonjo. We can unlock something really special and that’s my job. He’s working in a really good way I’m very happy with him.”
Pellegrini underlines importance of Sterling’s pace
The arrival of Raheem Sterling has afforded balance to Manchester City’s attack, ensuring that Jesus Navas isn’t the singular speedster among Sergio Aguero’s supporting cast. Having drawn blanks in his first two starts for the Sky Blues, the jet-heeled winger picked up the assist for Aleksandar Kolarov’s goal and aided his team’s cause with three key passes. Manuel Pellegrini lauded Sterling’s growing presence with the side, after City chalked up a third successive win at Goodison last weekend:
“We have different pace with Sterling. It’s a different way to play. It’s important to have different things to do during the game and have a good squad because we play so many games. He was very important today the whole game, especially in the first goal. It is difficult to settle in a new team but playing with David [Silva], with Kun [Sergio Agüero], with Yaya [Touré] he will become better because all of them are good players, experienced players.”
