Mancienne up for Messi role

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne insists he is ready for the task of marking Lionel Messi in the UEFA Champions League semi-final with Barcelona. Blues boss Guus Hiddink is considering playing Mancienne at left-back against Barca in the first leg at Camp Nou next week, with first-choice left-back Ashley Cole missing through suspension.

Mancienne was switched to left-back for Monday's reserve-team draw against West Brom as Hiddink wanted to try out the England Under 21 international in the role.

Hiddink watched Mancienne perform at left-back and the defender is ready to answer the call of filling in for Cole and facing arguably the best player on the planet in the shape of Messi.

"It was a new one on me, I've never really played there before. I would love the challenge of facing Messi," Mancienne told Chelsea TV.

"The manager came to watch and I was asked to have a go. The manager is keeping his options open.

"They told me a couple of days ago I would have a go at left-back and I did ask Ashley a few questions about it. It felt all right."

The 2-2 draw with West Brom also saw the return of Juliano Belletti after injury.

The Brazilian, who has missed the last few weeks through injury, played for an hour and scored in the game to put himself in contention for a first-team recall.

Source: Sky Sports

[Elliott 7]

He makes it sound as if Hiddink wants Mancienne there and is not choosing Ivanovic. Mancienne is a top youngster, but playing him out of position in his biggest game so far sounds like a risk to me.

[Kajo 176]

If Hiddink belive Mancienne can handl it as left-back i belive too Hiddink got talent to make right choice :thumbsup:

[EskWeston 696]

Mancienne is a quality young player. But watching him play at left back last night for the reserves against West Brom i would not even consider playing him there for the Barca game. It's not that he was bad, but it is just not natural for him and for him to do it in our biggest game of the season would be a disaster.

Mancienne is a centre back 100% and a decent right back when needed, but i would not play him at left back.

[diskoviolente 425]

Mancienne is fast, he can cope with Messis speed, i think. Not sure about his tackleing skills, same goes for Ivanovic.

Nothing worse but freekicks near the area where Iniesta or Messi can show their tricks.

Well, Ashley would be perfect, but i would take Mancienne as well i think

[EskWeston 696]

We wouldn't be doing Mancienne any favours to put him up against Barca. Image if he got ripped to pieces, he could find the fans turning against him and brandishing him as rubbish....

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'd seriously consider playing Ivanovic LB and Belletti RB.

[Kajo 176]

I'd seriously consider playing Ivanovic LB and Belletti RB.

That could be great return on Camp Nou for Belletti cause he win the CL trophy for Barca and know he can do the same for us

[Cameron 30]

Whoever goes at left back, Messi will get past a few times in the evening. We'll have to hope it's an off night, and Mancienne/Ivanovic perform well. If he does get the call up, i'll be excited for him and IMO he'd give it a good shot. Would remind him why he's at Chelsea.