Grant faces selection conundrum

ukevents.net · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 2439

Grant faces selection conundrum

It wasn’t a long time ago that Avram Grant, the Chelsea boss, was complaining of a depleted squad, due to injuries and the African Cup of Nations. The return of Lampard, Terry, Essien and Drogba, however, has upset the apple-cart in more ways than one. While news of a training-ground row between Terry and Henk ten Cate materialized, Grant was informing the Israel Coaching Association (ICA) that he was unable to attend a coaching seminar because he was too busy with club matters. Deciding on the team to face West Ham on Saturday was most probably one of them.

The issues now confronting the Chelsea manager revealed themselves in woeful fashion during the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup Final. His choice to start with Terry and Lampard was hardly a surprise, but to leave his most inventive player on the bench, Joe Cole, was a decision even Benitez would have questioned. The lack of creativity in midfield was compounded by the lack of understanding between the forward players. Blame can hardly be directed at Anelka, who was stranded on the left for the majority of the game. Not since the England team lined up has the phrase “square pegs in round holes” seemed more apt.

Grant has previously asserted his conviction that Drogba and Anelka will form an effective partnership, but his reluctance to test this theory out on Sunday suggests he is either short on confidence or unwilling to deviate from his favoured 4-3-3 formation. The potential departure of Drogba in the summer may solve this problem, but in the mean-time Grant has to find a way to accommodate him or risk further failure. Shevchenko has provided, at best, only sporadic support and Pizarro falls far short of a place in the first team.

The options available to Chelsea in midfield are enough to induce a migraine. With six quality central players and three wide players to choose from, Grant is certain to upset a few of the “bigger” personalities. This is an unavoidable consequence of spending money on players that aren’t really needed. Makelele was in sparkling form while Mikel and Essien were away on international duty and the Frenchman has been an integral part in Chelsea’s success in recent years. The form Michael Ballack was in prior to the final also merited a starting place against Spurs. According to Lampard, Grant needs to find a settled team. This is true, but players like him and Essien need to earn their place in the starting XI.

Defensively, Avram Grant’s problems are modest yet still intriguing. Ashley Cole was left out of the squad that faced Spurs, with the troubled left-back being replaced by Wayne Bridge, who had played a bigger part in Chelsea’s journey to the final. Neither player has had a remarkable season, but Grant will have to decide on which one he favours and stick to it. In the centre, the question at the moment should be who partners Carvalho. Although Terry put in a solid performance on Sunday, his lack of fitness was plainly apparent.

After months of perseverance, Rafael Benitez has finally hinted at the end of his rotation policy. A submission perhaps that it isn’t the best method of management after all. With the resources now available to him Grant would be wise to follow suit and achieve a degree of consistency, lest he ends the season trophy-less.

Written by Michael for UKEvents.net