{"id":292727,"date":"2023-11-01T16:24:14","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T16:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=292727"},"modified":"2023-11-01T16:24:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T16:24:14","slug":"10-premier-league-players-with-a-point-to-prove-in-the-carabao-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/10-premier-league-players-with-a-point-to-prove-in-the-carabao-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Premier League players with a point to prove in the Carabao Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
Wednesday night\u2019s Carabao Cup games offer a great chance to players with something to prove, either due to lack of game time or indifferent form.<\/p>\n
Ten Premier League clubs are in action including Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.<\/p>\n
With managers often using the competition to make changes, it could be a big night in particular for these following players…<\/p>\n
ANTONY (Manchester United v Newcastle)<\/span><\/p>\n The \u00a385million winger hasn\u2019t been the game-changer Erik ten Hag dreamed of and received criticism for his petulance as a late substitute against Manchester City on Sunday, more interested in kicking the opposition than creating for his team.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Antony has struggled both on the pitch and off it in a turbulent start to Man United’s campaign<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The winger was most recently involved in a reckless scrap with Man City’s Jeremy Doku after coming on as a substitute in the Manchester derby<\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n The Brazilian has had off-field difficulties this season but United really need him to show his best form now given their own difficulties.<\/p>\n At least the arrival of Newcastle might bring back good memories. One of his best moments in a red shirt was beating the Toon at Wembley in last season\u2019s EFL Cup final.<\/p>\n BETO (Everton v Burnley)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The 25-year-old striker was hailed as Everton\u2019s great hope when he arrived shortly before the transfer window closed but has so far been overshadowed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.<\/p>\n Beto\u2019s only goal so far for the club came in the Carabao Cup at Doncaster but with Calvert-Lewin needed to stay fresh for Premier League duty, the powerful Portuguese centre-forward has a chance to step up and show Goodison Park what he can do.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beto’s arrival (centre) on Merseyside has been overshadowed by the resurgence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin<\/p>\n CODY GAKPO (Bournemouth v Liverpool)<\/span><\/p>\n The battle between Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Gakpo for two starting places up front alongside Mo Salah is fascinating.<\/p>\n Gakpo had a goal disallowed after he came on as a substitute in Liverpool\u2019s last Premier League game against Nottingham Forest but with Diaz currently unavailable while he deals with the awful kidnap of his father in Colombia, the Dutchman should get a chance to start on the south coast.<\/p>\n The Dutchman has had a mixed first year at Anfield, scoring 10 goals but also taking time to settle in Jurgen Klopp\u2019s system and being asked to play in different positions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cody Gakpo has had a mixed first year in red but is impressing when he gets his time to shine<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kai Havertz has failed to convert his Arsenal appearances into goals and is losing his grasp on first-team football<\/p>\n KAI HAVERTZ (West Ham v Arsenal)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Havertz\u2019s only goal so far this season was a penalty at Bournemouth given to him out of sympathy by team-mates. It is time the \u00a365million German began to justify his price tag and this tie with Mikel Arteta bound to make changes looks a perfect fit.<\/p>\n Havertz has lost the regular starting berth given to him by Arteta at the start of the season and needs to show end product to win his place back.<\/p>\n West Ham might be the right opposition to wheel him out. David Moyes\u2019 side is traditionally strong in the air and that is one area where the 24-year-old is effective in both penalty areas.<\/p>\n NICOLAS JACKSON (Chelsea v Blackburn)<\/span><\/p>\n Three goals in 11 appearances is a poor return for a striker who cost Chelsea \u00a335million from Villarreal in the summer. He was criticised by England great Alan Shearer at the weekend for a lack of movement during a poor defeat against Brentford.<\/p>\n A fit and firing Jackson might be expected to have the night off given Chelsea\u2019s other injuries up front but Mauricio Pochettino might see this competition against Championship opposition as an ideal way to boost his confidence with a goal or two.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old did score the winner in the last round against Brighton.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nicolas Jackson has yet to deliver on his pre-season promise and has recently come under fire as Chelsea’s No 1 striker<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the Senegal forward has snatched some opportunities, and last scored against Burnley<\/p>\n REECE JAMES (Chelsea v Blackburn)<\/span><\/p>\n Named Chelsea\u2019s club captain at the start of the season, there has been an enormous sense of frustration that James was injured in the opening game against Liverpool and only just returned to make two appearances off the bench.<\/p>\n This will therefore be the 23-year-old\u2019s first start since August and Mauricio Pochettino will be delighted to see him back, particularly with Chelsea facing tricky league fixtures starting with a trip to Spurs on Monday.<\/p>\n Despite his still relatively young age, James offers a wealth of experience and that power and impetus down the right, either as full-back and wing-back, will be crucial if Chelsea are to overcome a poor opening to the season. Advancing into the quarter-finals will give them a lift.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reece James had had his time in the captain’s armband severely limited due to injuries<\/p>\n TINO LIVRAMENTO (Manchester United v Newcastle)<\/span><\/p>\n Opportunities for the young \u00a330million right-back are limited due to the continuing excellence of Kieran Trippier. So when the chance arrives \u2013 as it will be at Old Trafford with the England international due to be given a rest \u2013 Livramento has to grab it.<\/p>\n The 20-year-old\u2019s only previous start following his summer move from Southampton came in this competition against Manchester City.<\/p>\n Though Trippier is virtually undroppable, an impressive showing against United at least gives Eddie Howe the option of playing Livramento on the right and Trippier on the left, where he\u2019s done well for England.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tino Livramento has been on the wrong end of Kieran Trippier’s blistering form for Newcastle<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mason Mount could be given a chance to take his lacklustre season by the scruff of the neck<\/p>\n MASON MOUNT (Manchester United v Newcastle)<\/span><\/p>\n The England midfielder has been disappointing in a United shirt so far, affected by the general malaise at Old Trafford and frequent changes in line-ups and formations.<\/p>\n There is no doubt Erik ten Hag wanted his energy and technical ability for a reason when paying \u00a360million to bring him in from Chelsea. He\u2019ll surely be given a chance tonight.\u00a0<\/p>\n AARON RAMSDALE (West Ham v Arsenal)<\/span><\/p>\n The England international has barely played since Mikel Arteta boldly announced he had two No1 goalkeepers. If the manager sticks with David Raya, whose form has been iffy in recent games, at The London Stadium, Ramsdale might as well get his bags packed for a January move.<\/p>\n Ramsdale is considered extremely unlucky to have lost his place, he\u2019s not done anything wrong but Arteta feels Raya\u2019s passing range suits the style he wants at Arsenal.<\/p>\n The only way 25-year-old Ramsdale can respond is go and keep a clean sheet at West Ham if called upon. If he does well, there will be a conversation about whether he should stay in for the next Premier League game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aaron Ramsdale has all but lost his regular start to new recruit David Raya at the Emirates<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a bid to unseat the Spaniard (left) the England international could impress in a London derby<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Raphael Varane was omitted from Erik ten Hag’s derby plans but will likely start on Wednesday<\/p>\n RAPHAEL VARANE (Manchester United v Newcastle)<\/span><\/p>\n One of the oddities of United\u2019s surrender in the Manchester derby was World Cup winner Rafa Varane left on the bench while Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof were selected ahead of him.<\/p>\n If it was meant to be a clever tactical ploy by Erik ten Hag to combat the physical presence of Erling Haaland, it backfired. Surely Varane will be recalled for this Carabao Cup tie with United desperate for someone of his experience and leadership skills.<\/p>\n The Frenchman is susceptible to injuries but when he\u2019s played this season he has looked a class above anyone else in the heart of the United back-four.<\/p>\n It’s All Kicking Off\u00a0is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.<\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify<\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\nIT’S ALL KICKING OFF!\u00a0<\/h3>\n