Bosingwa

[sleepy_gonzalez]

anyone know when he's due to come back? any updates?

(sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, searched Bosingwa and all I found was the thread started when he was injured that said 3 months)

when he does come back, should he get his right back berth back, or has Ivanovic made it his own now?

If Ivan is displaced, where to? at whose expense? anyone see any mileage in trying him out as a DM, given his versatility and ability to drive forward if needs be?

my opinion is that despite Ivan's awesome run, Bos' pace and attacking prowess are terrifying and i think having him and ash would counter the 'we need width' argument that keeps cropping up.

[Tim]

It might sound harsh, but I sort of feel that we could probably make do with cashing in on him if we got a good enough offer, and using that money to sign an Aguero/Pato etc.

Ivanovic really has made the right back position his own, and should be our first choice for the foreseeable future. I am more than happy for Bosingwa to play back up, but the question is - will he be? We have older players, such as Paulo (if we're being defensive) and Beletti (if we're going for it) who can tag in for Ivan if needed, and I would imagine they will/are a lot happier being 'squad' players than a younger Bosingwa might be.

It's a tricky one, as he is a good attacking fullback and has been a canny signing for us, but with the emergence of Ivanovic and the rapid improvement in his attacking game, the need for Jose is not what I thought it might be. As sleepyg says, he is still a better attacking full back than Ivanovic, but that gap is closing and defensively the latter is a hell of a lot more solid.

I suppose it really depends on how much Carlo rates him, as it's pretty certain we'd have a nunber of clubs interested and willing to pay decent money if we do want to let him go.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Tim

[BlueDay]

I think it will give the manager a headache.

Ivanavic has been playing so well he deserves to hold down that spot. But IMO Bosingwa is also an excellent player who probably wouldnt be happy as back up.

Either way teams would be queing up to sign either of these players should they become available, so keeping them both happy is a must.

[ivorycoast]

He just came back to england a few days ago, after a 2 month holiday in portugal. I imagine we will be seeing him on the bench soon

[midlandblue]

Bossi is not a player I would like to see leave. Yes Ivanovic has done well, butr thet realy are chalk and cheese. Bth have a place in in the squad for different reasons.

[Cam]

It's a tough one, but I think I would like JT and Ivan in the middle. I would rather cash in on Carvs, while he's still capable of decent football.

[bluemoon]

I wish we would make you an offer for Bosingwa, I rate the guy highly and we really need a decent right back urgently.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

It's a tough one, but I think I would like JT and Ivan in the middle. I would rather cash in on Carvs, while he's still capable of decent football.

Rather see Ivan in over Alex? I'd much rather a back four of Ivan/Alex/JT/Ash at the moment than any other. We should cash in at the end of the season on Carvalho, bumping Bruma up to 4th choice CB.

I really like Boss, he's like a winger for us, but defensively he's not as strong as Ivan. If he's not happy as a back-up, we cash in and we have Paulo/Belletti and also the up and coming Nana from the reserves that's an outstanding talent.

[german-blue]

bosingwa over ivanovic when fully fit....

[Blue_Boy]

I rate Ivan higher than bosingwa because he is very solid defensively, is a great header of the ball and good going forward. Maybe not as good as bossy but still very solid. he has played some awesome matches this season.

[Phillip]

Agreed, but they are totally different in their styles of play, and so it behooves us to keep both of them. Bossy can make great runs a la A. Cole, and he is a great crosser of the ball. Ivan is a very, very solid defender who heads the ball second to the "God" level of Tim Cahill (who is by far the best header for goals in the World, with no one else close).

[Barry Bridges]

Ivan is better at defence, Bosingwa better on the attack. That said typically I would want Ivan as our attack needs less help than our D does.

However lets keep in mind Bosingwa's pace, and the fact that over 2 legs he pretty much completely shut down Messi, the best player in the world.

With that in mind, Bosingwa can play in the big games and shutdown world class attackers while providing an attacking impetus.

I would be loathe to see him go without seeing SIGNIFICANT value in return, or a Maicon in return

I heard Bayern wanted Bosingwa and that Ivan was getting looked at by Real Madrid. So there are clubs out there with purchasing power who want them.

[Cam]

If we sell Bosingwa, make it for about 20mil....then go to Inter and buy Santon

[g3.7]

despite ivanovic's form (and the fact he's the new forum darling), we've really missed bosingwa. he gets to the byline and crosses from dangerous positions far more often than ivanovic, that that is hugely important for the way we play. far too often ivanovic crosses from positions where only beckham could be threatening.

not wanting to be too critical of ivanovic- he's clearly a quality player and one who should have a great time with us, but bosingwa's absence has hurt us.

[Barry Bridges]

Diamond - Bosignwa

433 - Ivanovic

[Plavi26]

Diamond - Bosignwa

433 - Ivanovic

Clear and simple

[evissy]

It is clear that right back is not Ivanovic' natural position. However he is such talented player he can play there. We have even seen him dribble past players more than once. He has been one of our better crossers this season as well. I think Bosingwa will take his place back as he is IMO one of the best in that spot in England. I think Ivan could even cover for Essien although that is a bit risky to even try..

[ozboy]

I'd far rather have Ivan doing the holding midfielder role than Belletti. However Mikel may be first choice there. I like the versatility that Ivanovic gives us. Alex only plays centrally.

Having said that when all is said and done Bossy offers slightly more in total. His defending is pretty good and he is faster down the touchline. So I think Ivanovic's real competition longer term is with Alex.

[Gilvorak]

Ivanovic is much better than Bosingwa tbh both offensively and defensively.

[bjd]

Ivanovic is much better than Bosingwa tbh both offensively and defensively

Oh come on. I often wonder if some people watch the same sport as i do....

When fully fit i think Bos will walk straight back into the team, which will be harsh on Ivanovic but thats the way it goes. The full back attacking is a key part of the way we play and Bos does it so much better than anyone else we have. He isnt as tight as Ivanovic defensively, no doubt about that though.

But hopefully Ivanovic will be part of our team at centre back for many years to come.

Overall id still go for Paulo. But lets, not go there....

[dkw]

Diamond - Bosignwa

433 - Ivanovic

bang on mate, defensively ivan, offensively bossy. the fact we have this option (and the option to play ivan in the middle if need be) means we shuold keep both.

[Blue_Boy]

bang on mate, defensively ivan, offensively bossy. the fact we have this option (and the option to play ivan in the middle if need be) means we shuold keep both.

for that we should keep them both happy. thats kind of hard when one of them will be a backup most of the time.

[sleepy_gonzalez]

Oh come on. I often wonder if some people watch the same sport as i do....

When fully fit i think Bos will walk straight back into the team, which will be harsh on Ivanovic but thats the way it goes. The full back attacking is a key part of the way we play and Bos does it so much better than anyone else we have. He isnt as tight as Ivanovic defensively, no doubt about that though.

But hopefully Ivanovic will be part of our team at centre back for many years to come.

Overall id still go for Paulo. But lets, not go there.... :D

couldn't agree more. It's definitely about what brings more to the team, and why, not about who's better at attacking or defending, that's a given.

i agree that bos would - and probably should - walk back into the team, assuming he comes back the same player he was. It seems pretty inevitable that Ivan will be displaced. I just feel it would be a travesty for the man considering his potential, quality and form. If anyone has staked a thoroughly convincing claim to be a first team regular this season it is Branislav.

In my opinion it may be a little early, or divisive, to start displacing centre backs from regular football to accommodate him. Although i would say i would rather see him retain a first team slot over carvalho now as he is much more promising in the medium to long term, and i would even accept the sale of carvalho to allow fair rotation and continuity. However, I would definitely not advocate selling alex, or passing up his now obvious talents.

So I would propose a compromise, namely that he be given a try in the defensive midfield role at the base of the diamond. Firstly, everyone seems to agree that he has some attacking nous. Not only is he great defensively, but he is clearly not averse to driving forward when necessary, and most importantly he shows composure and good decision making going forward. He began his career as a libero - not too much of a stretch of the imagination to push that role up the field, still protecting and mopping up for the back four, but also able to push forward. He has certainly shown his adaptability in his time at the club, i think he could make a good go of it. Better than Mikel, and more longevity than Beletti. And his knee isn't in bits...

I think this could be a solution at least in the short term, until a first team centre back (IMO likely to be carv, for reasons of age, new challenge etc) moves on, at which point he could bed in as defensive partner to Terry. Who knows, he may even make the position his own.

I realise there's a few assumptions in all this that some people may not agree with, Carvalho's impending expendability for one, Mikel's ineptitude etc, but i really think there's a lot to recommend Ivan for the role. And to be quite honest, if such a compromise isn't possible, it'd be hard to argue with him muscling into a regular CB spot, or even keeping Bos out of the team. I'd be happier with the former.

[BlueDay]

Bosingwa is definately not poor defensively.

Does no-one remember him playing against Barca lasts season? Played left back and made Messi his bitch. Ashley Cole would of been proud.

[sleepy_gonzalez]

And his knee isn't in bits...

I would just like to add a hefty knock on wood to this statement. :D