Scout Scribbles – Hazard Strikes in Blues Cruise

Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle continue their fine scoring form as Chelsea clinch a place in the last four of the Capital One Cup. Southampton’s misery continues with a 1-0 loss at Sheffield United. Angel di Maria could return for United this weekend, Glen Johnson is sidelined for Liverpool, whilst Emmanuel Adebayor is back in the Tottenham fold ahead of the visit of Burnley.

Hazard Nets as Jose’s Men March On

Chelsea swept aside Derby County 3-1 in their Capital One Cup quarter final tie last night. Though the likes of Diego Costa, Oscar and Gary Cahill were handed the night off, Jose Mourinho still named a fairly strong starting XI for the fixture. Cesar Azpilicueta and Cesc Fabregas returned to the fold after missing out at the weekend, with Eden Hazard getting his name on the scoresheet once again with the Blues’ opener, before Filipe Luis and Andre Schurrle went on to secure the win – the latter has now scored in each of his two starts over the last week.

The Scout Says: Last night’s strike from Hazard added to his goal and assist against Hull at the weekend, and furthered the case for the Belgian as the midfielder of choice in Chelsea’s ranks. Nonetheless, Fabregas’ owners will still take plenty of heart from yesterday’s cup victory – the Spaniard was fielded in the hole behind Didier Drogba for the entirety of the match and grabbed his sixteenth assist of the season. Although he is almost certain to be withdrawn back to a deeper midfield role for the Blues’ next league encounter, the 9.6 valued Fabregas’ creativity should ensure his owners stick despite the allure of Hazard, though with many Fantasy managers having budget to spare, the duo even offer a double-up option in the centre of the park. Although Mourinho has spoken of rotation before now, Chelsea’s trip to Stoke is not until next Monday evening and affords plenty of time for recovery for those involved last night.

SAINTS SLIP TO ANOTHER DEFEAT

Southampton took their losing streak to five successive matches after being defeated 1-0 by League One side Sheffield United in their cup encounter last night. With Graziano Pelle sitting out a one-match ban and Dusan Tadic rested, Shane Long led the line for the Saints, whilst Ryan Bertrand was fielded on the left wing as Matt Target was handed the left-back berth.

The Scout Says: The Saints’ poor form continues, and with Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United in their next five, investment in any of their assets looks unlikely for the time being. To compound matters, Morgan Schneirdelin and Victor Wanyama both earned their fifth bookings of the season last night, and are now banned for the Saints’ home clash with the Toffees this weekend. With Jack Cork injured, Ronald Koeman’s options in midfield are now seriously depleted, and James Ward-Prowse looks likely to retain his starting spot from last Saturday – without another regular senior central midfielder available, Koeman may be forced to switch up his tactics against the Merseysiders or bring centre-half Toby Alderweireld into the middle of the park to cope. Fantasy managers holding Everton assets will be a little more optimistic on the back of yesterday’s events.

DI MARIA EDGING CLOSER TO COMEBACK

Reports suggest that Angel Di Maria could return from the hamstring injury that his kept him out of United’s last three fixtures in time to face Aston Villa this Saturday.

The Scout Says: Will Di Maria’s comeback instigate another change in tactics from Louis Van Gaal? The main issue for the Dutchman concerns the form of Juan Mata, who has excelled in Di Maria’s absence, scoring twice and picking up an assist; in light of that, the Spaniard will be extremely unlucky to be dropped, and that could see Van Gaal return to the set-up utilised against Hull back in Gameweek 13. Di Maria was forced off only 13 minutes into that match, but prior to that, he, Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie all took to the field. A similar scenario spells danger for Villa this weekend, who have conceded in four of their last five and will need to be on tip top form to stop that attacking quartet.

Johnson Misery for Reds

Reports suggest that Liverpool’s Glen Johnson is set to miss the festive period with the groin injury suffered against Man United on Sunday.

The Scout Says: With just two wins in their last eight league matches and having shipped three goals in their derby defeat to United at the weekend, the Johnson news will only deepen Liverpool’s current woes. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, as Brendan Rodgers side now face three homes matches in their next four (ARS, SWA, LEI) and, considering they have conceded only once in their last three at Anfield, defensive returns may well now be on the cards. With Johnson out, Javier Manquillo should be called upon as a like-for-like replacement at right back, and could offer substantial value for his meagre 4.6 price tag in the next few weeks.

SAGNA OPEN TO CENTRAL ROLE

Bacary Sagna has revealed that he is ready to fill in for Vincent Kompany at centre back if the Man City skipper is ruled out for a significant period of time with a hamstring problem:

“I have played a few times at centre-back for Arsenal. If I have to play I will play, and always try to give 100 per cent and my best for the team. But hopefully he (Kompany) will be ready for Crystal Palace.”

The Scout Says: City boast a great festive fixture list (CPL, wba, BUR, SUN) and investment in their rearguard looks a wise move, though it seems unlikely that Sagna will be the first in line to benefit should Kompany miss out. Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis are most expected to fill the two central defensive spots, and Dedryck Boyata is also in the mix. Demichelis certainly looks the safest option in City’s backline right now, all the more so given that Mangala currently balances on the suspension tightrope with four yellows. Should Manuel Pellegrini make the surprise move of turning to Sagna, however, it is Pablo Zabaleta whose stock looks set to benefit the most – with no competition for the right-back berth, the 6.4 priced Argentine’s minutes would be secure until Kompany’s return.

ADEBAYOR BACK FOR TOTTENHAM

Emmanuel Adebayor has linked back up with Tottenham following a week’s compassionate leave and will now be available for his side’s meeting with Burnley this weekend.

The Scout Says: Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Adebayor won’t be ready to face Newcastle in the Capital One Cup this evening due to his lack of training, but that will only increase the Togo international’s chances of involvement against Burnley, with his team-mates unlikely to be as refreshed come Saturday. Harry Kane’s owners are unlikely to be too concerned, however, as Roberto Soldado looks the player at risk after failing to find the net in his last three appearances. Kane, on the other hand, looks key to Spurs’ efforts right now, and has four great fixtures (BUR, lei, cpl, SUN) in his next six to carry on the run of form that has seen him notch returns in three of the last five Gameweeks.