Any injury doubts over Arthur Masuaku – who is reported to have fluid on his knee may well give Said his opportunity.
We understand the DC Congo international is rated 50-50 for the game and should he be unavailable it seems that the left sided role can be filled only by the former Brentford player or Manu Lanzini.
Many of us have been left bemused by the seeming reluctance of the manager to give the Algerian a run of games which has given rise to conspiracy theories over his view of the former Brentford star.
The guy clearly has something to offer and whether Arthur is fit or not this is a game which could really give him a chance to impress.
With Declan, Mikey, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell missing and that question mark over Arthur this could well be Moyes’ team: Fabianski; Coufal, Diop, Ogbonna, Johnson; Noble, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Lingard, Bowen.
tbh, i think i’m with Moysie on this one. i like Benrahma, and agree that he has a lot to offer, but he does lose possession often and his final choice of pass is not always the best. still growing into the side i think. having said all that i would pick him to play out left ahead of Manu, who is better suited to the middle, if Masuaku can’t play
I agree roller. A decent preseason for him and then I think he will show his value next season.
He’s obviously a great talent and needs more time to adapt to playing Moyes’ type of game. I believe it is primarily two things he needs to improve: Tracking back (seen improvements and a good workrate) and decision making on the ball. By the latter I mean the last pass, as has been discussed, but moreso I feel he tries the pass when he should finish and vica versa. I believe there is also a confidence apect there..
I would play Lanzini ahead of Benrhama every time based on what I’ve seen this season. Manu is our best creative passer of the ball in my opinion even though he’s not the player he was prior to his devastating injury. He’s still a good player and I think we should stick with him for another season.
100% agree, it is a no brainer. If Moyes has been looking at both players then he has to start Lanzini ahead of Benrahma. I would stick with 3 at the back for weekend but I would go two up top. Fab, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Diop with Coufal and Masa (if fit). Fornals and Soucek in midfield with Lanzini the link to Lingard and Bowen. I will be so disappointed to see Johnson and Noble start this weekend especially after his performance there in the league – totally destroyed in that game and was a key reason we lost a game we should have won as Chelsea were terrible at that time.
Lanzini? Beyond that (great) goal at Spurs, what else has he done in 2 years? Always seems to slow things down, and move sideways. Benrahma is way ahead of him on assists. Benrahma needs to progress further, for sure. But I would put Lanzini in the same bracket as Anderson. Not the future.
Agree, Lanzini has done nothing to warrant a starting place. He scored one unbelievable goal. His best days are behind him. Benrahma is the future so should be given the confidence of playing. Still don’t believe Moyes fancies him though and i’d be surprised if he ever makes it with us.
I hope that Benrahma gets his chance and comes good and scores against Chelsea
I was amused to read on some other site that “according to club insiders Claret and Hugh Benrahma will get his chance against Chelsea” – I am not sure if you are aware of how you are perceived 😉
I would ditch Diop, we shipped goals since he has been brought back, give Balbuena & Ogbonna a chance again.
Also dare I say Noble won’t be able to track Mount so would put someone more mobile in the middle.
Not too many options though with our squad.
At some stage Benrahma needs to get a run, no better time really.
I’m rooting for Benrhama, want him to do well, he has so much talent . He will be learning from Moyes , lingard etc . I know he has what it takes & think he has a role to play in the rest of the season . I hope he takes his chance ⚒
I suddenly remembered that when we first signed Antonio he hardly got a look in – Slav thought that his first touch wasn’t good enough – so maybe Benrahma will still come good
Also his first goal for the Hammers was a fluke against Saints – maybe that is what Benrahma needs