Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly believes Andre Villas-Boas could turn to Yossi Benayoun instead of signing another creative midfielder. The Premier League side have been pursuing Tottenham's Luka Modric throughout the summer but Spurs insist the Croatiainternational will remain at the club past the close of the transfer window. Villas-Boas is beginning to see his squad click during pre-season although the Portuguese is expected to continue with his attempts to bring Modric to Stamford Bridge. However, Desailly, who spent six years at Chelsea between 1998 and 2004, believes Benayounhas what it takes to step up after a bit-part role last term. "He's not really the first choice for the whole season but if he comes in he will help other players to express themselves," the Frenchman told Sky Sports News. "They need somebody who asks for and wants the ball, who will make the difference and give everyone the confidence to perform. We have a playmaker already inside the club. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_7066926,00.html
Benayoun would do a great job in the creative midfield role as long as he can avoid injuries. I still believe that we need someone else in midfield as if we lose Lampard or Benayoun to injury then who do we look upon to step in?
The thing if you want 'cover' for Lampard and Benayoun who is going to come and sit on the bench? Far easier to buy some one who rivals those two. No class player will come and stay unless they believe they could supplant Lampard. With a Premiership club even a youth player would have the dilemma of going to a Championship club for regular first team appearance (at Chelsea they just look at Swansea). I think a third choice for any position should be a club product and the youth system should be geared to that end. Be specific with first choicers and tell them they will get 30 starts a year unless injured or being disciplined. Don't let the players decide if they are fit, make the medical team's word law. Jose, when he was at Chelsea said two teams of 11 both as good as the other and a couple of spares just as good. Twenty four players all wanting to start is good enough to win every match. Fate can knobble that aspiration, but that is the nature of life. Yes you can increase the amount of top quality players if you have the money to buy and maintain the wages, but the turnover in players will sharply increase and player turnover is the great enemy to squad spirit, team work etc.... You have to have a smaller squad, look after that squad and if fortune takes a hand and reduces it you have to bring in and trust the youth brigade. Those guys have been at the club for years, they don't disturb the team ethic, that have loyalty built in. They may fail but they will give everything when they do.
Marc is spot on - Benayoun is a genius and provided he is fit all season - we will be seriously up-there challenging for multiple trophies.
