A fierce encounter can be expected on Sunday when the arch-rivals meet for an FA Cup match. Both have similar striker woes, and the team tackling this problem the best is more likely to taste victory.
With both sides suffering traumatic defeats in the preceding weeks, the upcoming FA Cup encounter between Chelsea and Manchester United promises to be a fierce contest in which both sides will try to make up for the pride they lost recently in Europe.
The match is also likely to be a goal fest, as Manchester United have scored at least three goals in each of their last four encounters with Chelsea. Chelsea will also look to dominate the game, and the only way to counter goals is by scoring goals yourself. The problem arises with the strike-force for both the teams.
With the departure of Dideir Drogba at the end of last season, a vacuum had been created upfront in the Chelsea line-up that had to be filled. Chelsea relied on two options: Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. In the case of Ba, one is forced to believe that he would have prospered more had he been a part of the squad for a season or two under Drogba. With latter’s departure, the expectations associated with Ba were immense, and he is yet to have come to terms with them.
Even though he has been quite decent, he has only managed two goals in his seven appearances for the club in the league, and he will surely have to better his record if he is to cement his place in the starting lineup.
In case of Torres, the 50 million price-tag has simply been too massive a weight on his flamboyance. Under its pressure, Torres has failed to run through defenses like he used to, and his creativity has also become clouded. The man who had 903 minutes between his last goal for Liverpool and his first goal for Chelsea never quite got going.
Chelsea has some serious striker issues at the moment, and an interim manager is least likely to give a long-term solution to them. The earlier these are sorted out, the better is will be for the club.
For Manchester United, things are a bit less harsh. They are already at the summit of the League, and the European exit against Real Madrid was nothing to be ashamed about. However, with Rooney’s confidence being dented as he was benched in the Madrid game, and with van Persie managing to score only one goal in his last 8 games, and failing to score in any of his last 5 outings, United too have their set of striker woes.
The good news is that within the squad is Chicharito, the Mexican striker who has netted five goals in his previous six encounters with Chelsea. His love for the Blues seems evident, and it might prove to be the deciding factor when the two teams will meet on Sunday.
The match is also likely to be a goal fest, as Manchester United have scored at least three goals in each of their last four encounters with Chelsea. Chelsea will also look to dominate the game, and the only way to counter goals is by scoring goals yourself. The problem arises with the strike-force for both the teams.
With the departure of Dideir Drogba at the end of last season, a vacuum had been created upfront in the Chelsea line-up that had to be filled. Chelsea relied on two options: Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. In the case of Ba, one is forced to believe that he would have prospered more had he been a part of the squad for a season or two under Drogba. With latter’s departure, the expectations associated with Ba were immense, and he is yet to have come to terms with them.
Even though he has been quite decent, he has only managed two goals in his seven appearances for the club in the league, and he will surely have to better his record if he is to cement his place in the starting lineup.
In case of Torres, the 50 million price-tag has simply been too massive a weight on his flamboyance. Under its pressure, Torres has failed to run through defenses like he used to, and his creativity has also become clouded. The man who had 903 minutes between his last goal for Liverpool and his first goal for Chelsea never quite got going.
Chelsea has some serious striker issues at the moment, and an interim manager is least likely to give a long-term solution to them. The earlier these are sorted out, the better is will be for the club.
For Manchester United, things are a bit less harsh. They are already at the summit of the League, and the European exit against Real Madrid was nothing to be ashamed about. However, with Rooney’s confidence being dented as he was benched in the Madrid game, and with van Persie managing to score only one goal in his last 8 games, and failing to score in any of his last 5 outings, United too have their set of striker woes.
The good news is that within the squad is Chicharito, the Mexican striker who has netted five goals in his previous six encounters with Chelsea. His love for the Blues seems evident, and it might prove to be the deciding factor when the two teams will meet on Sunday.
