Some random mid-week musings on the Barclays Premier League…
Williams return a big boost for Swansea
A favourite of many neutrals because of their swashbuckling style, Swansea City has stumbled out of the gate this campaign, last year’s ninth-place finishers and League Cup winners sitting 15th in the table.
Part of the problem is the Swans have been leaking goals – 11 in seven games, to be exact.
It hasn’t helped matters that the Welsh club has been missing captain and centre-back Ashley Williams due to an ankle injury for several weeks. But the Swans’ luck appears to be turning as Williams has been ruled out of Wales’ World Cup upcoming qualifiers against Macedonia and Belgium, which means he’s a good bet to return for the club’s next match, at home against Sunderland on Oct. 19.
That’s plenty of time for Williams to rest and recuperate, and without having to play for his country, he can focus on making his Premier League return.
Jordi Amat, 21, did a commendable job in Williams’ absence, forming an all-Spanish centre back pairing with 26-year-old Chico Flores. But Williams, 29, offers a far more physical and experienced presence than Amat, and his return to the lineup should strengthen the Swans’ back line.
“Ash is an important player for us. He has been a consistent and regular player for us week in, week out,” Swansea City right back Angel Rangel told the South Wales Evening Post.
“Ash has not had many injuries. Hopefully he will get back to full fitness, get back in the team and help us.”
Swansea could use Williams’ help, as they’ve lost three of the four matches (in all competitions) he’s missed while on the sidelines.
What about Chicharito?
Shinji Kagawa isn’t the only high-profile star who has failed to make an impression with new Manchester United manager David Moyes.
Would it surprise you to learn that Javier Hernandez has managed just three league appearances – and just one start – amounting to a grand total of 86 minutes this season? The ineffective Ashley Young, meanwhile, has made four league appearances (for 204 minutes), including three as a starter.
No doubt that Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney deservedly occupy the top two spots on United’s depth chart at the forward position. But surely the Mexican international, a dynamic player and natural goal-scorer, is worthy of more than a meagre 86 minutes of action?
Still only 25, Hernandez is in his prime, and it’s a terrible shame that a player of his calibre is wasting away on the bench. Noted for his work ethic, the dangerous Mexican will likely keep his head down and try to convince Moyes he is worthy of more playing time and can be a key contributor for the Reds.
But if he can’t, you have to wonder for how long he’ll be content to watch from the sidelines before putting in a transfer request.
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Cardiff City’s head of recruitment suspended
In a surprising development, Cardiff City’s head of recruitment, Iain Moody, has been suspended by the Premier League club.
Cardiff hasn’t given an explanation for the suspension, and has named Kazakh Alisher Apsalyamov, who is a friend of owner Vincent Tan’s son, as Moody’s replacement.
It’s a curious move for a number of reasons, foremost among them being that Apsalyamov is only 23 and appears to have no previous soccer experience.
Moody is considered a bright mind in the English game, and played an important scouting role in bringing key players to Cardiff, including former Supers defender Steven Caulker and top-scorer Fraizer Campbell. Perhaps his biggest coup was luring Chilean international Gary Medel away from Spanish side Sevilla this past summer.
Moody also had a close association with manager Malky Mackay, following the Scot from Watford when he joined Cardiff in 2011.
Moody’s suspension makes no sense, and is no doubt a by-product of some sort of power struggle between Mackay and team ownership. Don’t be surprised if Mackay is the next managerial casualty this season, following in the wake of Paolo Di Canio’s sacking at Sunderland.
Man City stuck with Hart for now
Manchester City was one of the biggest Premier League spenders during the summer transfer window, but it didn’t necessarily invest wisely.
The Blues splashed major cash bolstering their attack and midfield with the signings of Fernandinho, Álvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas and Stevan Jovetić. Too bad they didn’t have the foresight to go out and land a backup goalkeeper because they certainly could use one right about now.
Joe Hart is going through a bad stretch where he’s committed some serious gaffes and let in a few soft goals. Instead of dropping the 26-year-old, City manager Manuel Pellegrini continues to start England’s number one—mainly because he doesn’t have another option.
Pellegrini has warned Hart that backup Costel Pantilimon is ready to step in if he doesn’t improve but that’s a hollow threat: it’s hard to imagine Pellegrini is serious about going with the inexperienced Pantilimon, especially with tricky away fixtures against West Ham United and Chelsea looming.
The reality is that Pellegrini is stuck with Hart for now, and the Englishman has to find a way to play himself out of this funk. That’s a double-edged sword, though, as his confidence could be further damaged if this string of poor outings continues for much longer.