Rafa's left sided selection headache
Submitted by tony on Wed, 2007-08-01 20:06.
With the signings of Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, Harry Kewell's return to fitness, John Arne Riise finding form in the pre season games, who will play on the left side of midfield?
Riise has been in fine form in pre season, arguably against weaker opposition than what he would face week in week out in the Premiership/Champions League, but Rafa will find it hard to drop him after impressing so far.
Kewell returned to first team action at the end of last season, and has been on international duty for Australia, so is match fit and is obviously in Rafa's plans else he would have been turfed out years ago. Kewell has undoubted ability, but has been plagued with injuries. If he was to stay fit, he could play a major role for the Reds.
Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun were brought in, Babel can play upfront but his pace will be a valuable asset on the left, and after he did well for the Dutch under 20's this summer, he looks unlikely to be a benchwarmer. Benayoun usually played on the right for West Ham or central, but we all know Rafa likes to rotate.
If Heinze joins, Riise wont be playing left back, so will have to fight Kewell and Babel for the place on the wing, so who should get the nod?
LEFT
First we must sign a GENUINE Left-back-Heinze,Baines or other.Once we are safe at the back ,then our left winger-whoever is on the field
will have a little less defending to do- and can concentrate more on his attacking duties and be more effective.Kewell(when fit),Riise,Babel can all do the job.Left-back is the problem and not the Left-wing.
left
I think riise did a good job when playing as a left back. however, to wat i observed, he performed better when kewel was around. the left flank seems to be more solid.
Arbeloa or insua!!!
I don't really think we desesperately need to sign a left back or left winger... we already have lots of players capable of playing on the left side...
Arbeloa has done perfectly on either side he has been played, he can handle the task perfectly...an very good deal Rafa made of him, not even messi had been allowed to play against him, proves he is great as a defender..i really work well.
Insua is a promising younster, whats the use of bringing youngsters if they are not allowed to progress further, i think he should be given his chances.
Riise has prove much better on the flanks, so i guess, if we play him with Insua or Arbeloa, he will do good upfront as weel as cover the left side also. And against defensive teams we can play Riise and kewell or somebody else.
good comment......
critical mind, you are right we do not need heinze. we have insua who i thought played well.and has had good reports about him since he came to l,pool. arbeloa is usefull too, he will only get better with more games, which if we ge,t heinze he will not get. heinze is pushing 30 now he has a few injuries, i would pefer what we have to heinze.
ARBELOA
THIS GUY HAS DONE VERY WELL FOR THE TEAM WITHOUT GETTING MUCH CREDIT, HE IS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF A FIRST TEAM PLACE.
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