Fantasy Premier League

So much sense, it's scary

Thu Jan 10 04:52PM

More transfer rumours that actually make sense, whether or not there is any truth to them:

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Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda has admitted he would welcome a move to Aston Villa - according to his agent Willie McKay.

Chimbonda has been told he is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane, along with another Martin O'Neill target, striker Jermain Defoe.

O'Neill is looking to acquire a specialist right-back after being forced to use centre-back Olof Mellberg in the role for most of the campaign.

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I'd add my own twist to this and swap Chimbo and Mellberg.  As the news of Chimbo's unhappiness began filtering out yesterday I had this exchange with a friend: 

Session Start (jspitzberg:buttonmoulder): Tue Jan 08 10:35:13 2008
[13:43] JSpitzberg: can we make this happen --
[13:43] JSpitzberg: mellberg to spurs
[13:43] JSpitzberg: for chimbo
[13:44] buttonmoulder: just write that spurs has officially denied it
[13:44] JSpitzberg: makes too much sense
[13:44] JSpitzberg: spurs need an experienced center back
[13:44] JSpitzberg: villa need a maurauding right back

I think this would instantly make both teams better.  And wouldn't you love to have Chimbo on your fantasy team keeping more clean sheets and crossing towards Carew?  Or Gunter starting at right back for Spurs w/ Mellberg and King in front of Robbo... or Cerny?!?!

That's right, we've got a keeper controversy at Spurs with Cerny starting last night's Carling Cup semi and no indication that Robbo will or won't be back for the weekend.  But with Robbo at half the price of his "back-up" it's probably just something that gets taken off the table for fantasy managers.  We're avoiding Spurs' D in general so why would we spend double for the privilege?  Especially @CHE.  Or considering Chelsea's injured and missing, should that read "even @CHE"?

And speaking of wounded defences in the Carling Cup semis -- forgive the rough segue -- Arsenal are "facing an injury crisis that threatens to derail Arsenal's Premier League title challenge."

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Wenger left the Emirates Stadium counting his walking wounded after Robin van Persie, Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou and Theo Walcott were all injured.

Van Persie was forced off at half-time after suffering a thigh problem. The Dutch striker had been sidelined with a knee injury since October and Wenger will wait nervously for an exact diagnosis on Thursday.

Even more worrying for the Gunners manager were Senderos's knee ligament problem and Djourou's groin strain. With Kolo Toure, Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue on African Nations Cup duty, Wenger is short of defensive options as the title race hots up.

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So that leaves Gilberto to partner Gallas. That's probably the surest bet for Wenger as neither Swiss center back inspired any sort of confidence. But it's a horrible move for fantasy. Up front, however, it seems sure now that Eduardo will start at home to BRM. Choice matchup for a striker in form. If you got him on the barn door, you're sitting on Arsenal's starting forward for less than 5. And all I can say to that is "Wow!" As it is, he's 9.79 which might still be worth it for the weekend.

That's a lot for a Thursday, and I haven't even gotten to my ideas to stabilize/transform Newcastle United.  But that's for another post.

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