Sir John does not believe in so-called bad luck connected with Friday the 13th; however, two transfers today are not likely to bring much good fortune to their new teams or fantasy managers.
Gary Cahill, defender to Chelsea
The 26-year-old under-siege-defender from woeful Bolton finally goes to the big stage at Stamford Bridge. One man on defense cannot stem the tide at the Reebok; however, there is little to suggest he will be the answer to defensive howlers at Chelsea, especially if Cahill plays alongside David “The Matador” Luiz who seems to be AVB’s pet.
Cahill comes with a fantasy value of 5.2 million and has scored two goals while being part of one clean sheet for the Wanderers. The six-foot English defender has had a checkered career, including a spell with Aston Villa where he did not impress Martin O’Neill. It is not likely Cahill will immediately start for Chelsea, especially if sorely missed Ivanovic is deemed fit to play Saturday. Terry, Cole, Luiz and Ivanovic are the Chelsea starting defenders. Where Bosingwa will fit in the mix with Cahill is not known; however, it is not likely that Cahill was brought in to warm the bench. Cahill is a marginal gamble for fantasy managers with more of a chance to register a clean sheet for the Blues than as a moving target for the shooting gallery that is Bolton.
Darron Gibson, midfielder to Everton
The 24-year-old out-of-favor midfielder from Manchester United will surely get playing time at Everton, a team that even with Landon Donovan does not strike fear into opponents with what is on the pitch in midfield. Tim Cahill, the illustrated Aussie has distant memories of what it was like to score a goal and might be beat up by the flag stick instead of pummeling it as he once did.
Gibson has a fantasy value of 4.7 million that could attract fantasy managers hoping to get points from a player owned by only 0.2%.
During his time at Man U, Gibson made 60 appearances for SAF and scored ten goals. The slow-footed Irishman comes in with Coleman, Osman, Rodwell, Jagielka and Distin injured. If Gibson is teamed with Fellaini, David Moyes will have two midfielders not likely to leave many defenders in their wake.
Gibson is a hard-worker who now has a new lease on his career and will see what he can do with Bilyaletdinov, Drenthe, and Neville.
It appears that things are moving forward for Alex to leave Chelsea. For reasons known only to AVB, the Brazilian fell out of favor with the petulant manager. QPR would be a terrific place for the powerful defender to end up and even with a fantasy value of 6.0 million would be a great pick-up for fantasy managers since he is only on 1/2 percent of rosters.
Yours faithfully,
Sir John
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Posted by CJ on 01/16/2012
Sir John,
You seem rather harsh on AVB. But I think it would be really interesting if Cahill plays with Terry at the center and 'scapegoat' Luiz moves to RB. Bosingwa is okay going forward but horrible, horrendous in his prime task - defending... so it would be worth gambling on Cahill.
Comment: Thanks for the analysis. The Blues could use you on the touchline.
Most of my problem with AVB is his unprofessional treatment of players, most recently Lampard and Alex. Not giving Lamps credit for the winning goal and then not shaking his hand when he took him out after he had scored what proved to be the only goal in the game makes the manager a pinhead.
Not letting Alex park his car with the first team was petulant and I hope Alex will do well with QPR. I preferred him to Loser Luiz.
My concern about Cahill is that I just don't think Chelsea is getting that great a defender. I prefer defenders to be tall and he at least is 6 feet. He will need time to settle in with his new teammates--and if he is ever on the pitch at the same time with the Ole Luiz, he will need to do a lot of covering for the frizzy-haired howlers.
I agree with you that Bosingwa is a goal-waiting-to-happen. You could forgive defensive lapses when he was more of an offensive threat, but frankly, he has become just offensive to watch.
I am a long-time Chelsea supporter and for Week 22 have made a gamble and will bring Torres into my starting fantasy XI. I thought he looked terrific against Sunderland and I have a feeling he is about to go on a goal binge. Considering I have been stinking up my league, I need to do something.
Sir John
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Posted by CJ on 01/18/2012
Sir John,
Thanks for your comment and your flattering words :)
Agree with you most part, in fact I have also taken the same gamble of having both cahill and torres in the fantasy squad. both are super cheap and i have a feeling that both are about to earn some big points. At least I hope so now that they are in my team :)
I do agree that cahill is horribly overrated (well, same as torres was one year back). I would have much liked if chelsea had gotten jagielka instead. I think luiz will do fine as a right back but ivanovic will be much better there then. And yes, if AVB insists on palying Luiz, with all-fit-available squad, cahill may not even make it to the bench.
For lampard, I think he now has to realize that he is no more week-in-week-out player, he should take up a role of squad player like giggs in manU. However I don't know how much to read between the lines with lampard and AVB relation.
let's see...
Comment:
Good follow-up thoughts.
The Giggs role model is a valid suggestion for Lamps to follow; however, Sir Alex knows how to treat his players with class, especially Man Yoo legends. AVB has a far greater opinion of himself than is valid and is clueless when it comes to creating team unity.
As for Torres, I was distressed to read about supposed interest in him from abroad--but I think that is just his agent trying to drum up new commissions. I can't see Chelsea selling Torres, especially for a loss in January with Drogba and Kalou off in Africa for this month and part of next.
And along with you, I am hoping the Spaniard breaks out of his scoring slump. I thought when he went back to being a blonde he would do well because blonde's don't have to think. Ha Ha.
I will be up at 0445 on Saturday to watch Chelsea play Norwich City. ESPN does the best job of televising matches and Ian Darke is the finest announcer going.
Sir John
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John Culea is an American living in San Diego who became hooked on football while serving in the Navy for two years in London. A former TV news Emmy award-winning anchor/reporter, John manages the Premier Fantasy league MCMUARTN and goes by the Fantasy honorary title of "Sir John". John is a devoted Chelsea supporter and offers candid, often off-beat commentaries on the Premier League from an American perspective. He invites open discussion on his blog and can be contacted at 
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