ClaretandHugh’s chief analyst Leroy Rosenior believes that Ashley Fletcher deserves a chance to make his claim in Wednesday evening EFL Cup clash with Chelsea.
He believes that Slaven Bilic has a great opportunity to give the player some serious game time and hopes he takes it although fears a natural reluctance will take over.
He has predicted in his match preview the manager may go with a false number nine such as Antonio or Lanzini but believes the former Manchester United youngster has much potential if the boss wants to stick with a traditional centre forward.
He explained: “It’s well known I’m not a Zaza man and I won’t labour the point. I believe we will need to be clever on Wednesday. That may see one of the two I’ve mentioned playing in the central role.
“But Fletcher deserves his chance. I understand why Slaven will be reluctant to throw one so young in until the team is performaing consistently well because it’s a big job to be carrying a team that’s short on goals.
“He was given seven minutes against Sunderland and I’d like to see him get a start or at least a decent bit of game time. Eventually this lad will have a lot to offer.”
I like Fletcher, he is full of potential. But he isn’t yet that 20 goal a season striker we need and we wouldn’t have settled for him had he been hailed as such when we got him. For me he is akin to Burke/Oxford and would benefit from a spell out on loan at a Championship club come January. Get him back an even better player – Battle hardened too. When you look at Chelski’s back four there is something to be said for not giving those CB’s something obvious to mark so I can see where Slav is coming from if he chooses to pack the midfield with Antonio, Lanzini, Payet and Fernndes etc. Might force them to move about a little more than Zlatan? when all said and done our strikers have scored a grand total of zero so far so worth a shot me thinks.
I agree that young Fletcher deserves some further first-team play, and the Chelsea game may be an opportune time to demonstrate his talents. If he performs well, then he will do much to enhance his chances of grabbing one of the strikers positions in Slav’s improved 3-5-2 formation.
I am hopeful that Zaza will start finding the net in the next game or so. However, if he continues to struggle, then Slav has the option of playing young Fletcher next to Ayew or Sakho. In fairness to Zaza we must support him in his attempt to settle into a new personal setting and the challenges associated with EPL play!
Well he’s made eight appearances so far i think if you include the 2 europa league games. I was hoping he would be the next rashford but let’s face it rashford is the next rashford and fletcher they let go. He’s still young and I think a spell up north with Leeds or similar will do him the world of good.
I will have to hope Leroy has seen him in training,because to be honest when he has come on,he hasn’t made an impact, although that’s hard to do with 5 mins to go.But I’ve seen nothing that makes me think he’s head and shoulders above Calleri or Zaza.I think people are more in hope that he’s going to be the next Rashford,but I know I’m in the minority, and I want to be proved wrong.COYI