The left-back conundrum: Mancienne to mark Messi?
By dixon9
April 21 2009
During the 2nd leg of the quarter-finals against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge the booking and subsequent suspension of Ashley Cole could have a seriously damaging effect on our passage into a successive final appearance. Who could we now use to mark Messi? The solution could be youngster Mancienne.
As reported in yesterdays live updates thread for the match against West Bromwich Albion, 21-year-old Mancienne was used at left-back (despite being a centre-half/right-back for the club and a holding midfielder for England U21´s) with Guus Hiddink and Ray Wilkins looking on at Griffin Park.
"It was a new one on me; I've never played there before. The manager came to watch and I was asked to have a go," Mancienne said.“They told me a couple of days ago if I would have a go at left back and I did ask Ashley a few questions about it. It felt all right.”
You would think that a youngster would be terrorised at the idea of marking arguably the world’s best player wouldn´t you? Not Mancienne:
"The manager is keeping his options open. I would love the challenge of facing Messi."
With an oversized squad in some areas and some economic streamlining issues to consider, Chelsea sold Wayne Bridge to Man City knowing that we had the option of Ferreira as cover who plays in the left-back position for his country. Unfortunately, the Portuguese defender is now out injured for the remainder of the season and with Ashley Cole suspended, we now find ourselves in one hell of a fix at the worst possible time.
Hiddink had intended to give Mancienne and Carvalho 45 minutes each at left back but unfortunately, in another blow, Carvalho was pulled-off injured at half-time. Meanwhile, little did West Brom winger Josh Knight realise he was simulating the role of Messi.
So what are the options?
Mancienne is one but it’s a lot of responsibility for a young lad. Carvalho? Excellent timing on his tackles but will he be fully fit? Belletti? Very experienced, reasonably quick - but quick enough? Or how about swapping Bosingwa to the left and putting Ivanovic at right-back?
All the above are right-footed but as Messi almost always cuts inside it may even be an advantage to have a right-footer.
Malouda originally made his name as a left-back at Lyon and is reasonably quick – if this option was used Kalou or Anelka could fill in the wide left attacking slot.
It’s a real conundrum and we have to get it right. Playing against Barcelona is a tough enough job as it is.
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ezzy
messi would make a mess out of mancienne
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Has to be somebody with a bit of pace and quick tackling...?
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
He always plays well against tough opposition -such as Ronaldo - he´ll be a big miss for us tomorrow night.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
