Posted April 24, 201113 yr I was just talking with a mate of mine that's a Bolton fan. We were talking about their win over Arsenal today, and he wants us to sell them Sturridge at the end of the season. Those Bolton fans are praying that we don't take him back, and I can't say I blame them. We then got talking about Cahill, who I thought had a great game today for Bolton. He says that he fears Cahill will leave in the off season, and if he goes he will leave with every Bolton fan's blessing but they all know he's too good for them! Quite amazing I thought, but good to hear from a Bolton fan. So I asked, in a jovial way, if he could see a deal being struck to get Cahill and they get Sturridge. He thinks this is a strong possibility: "Cahill's a Chelsea fan, and mates with Ashley Cole" is how he responded. Cahill is only 24, and he reminds me a bit of our own JT. Now, I said to him "Would he be okay to come and bide his time at Chelsea though? It's not as if we're going to drop Terry. I know he's not as good as he was, but his leadership more than makes up for it! Plus we have Luiz, Alex, and then Ivan being forced out to RB when he's a CB." Anyway, we spoke some more, got talking about a lot of things football and parted ways. But this did get me thinking, how long do we rely on Terry's leadership over football ability? He (the Bolton fan) and I were both of the opinion that a Cahill and Luiz partnership (both 24) would be amazing, and just get better over time. But with a wealth of CB's, and the main are we need to possibly look at along the back 4 being RB, is it likely that we'll see much of a change to our CB pairings? If not, then where does this leave Ivan?
April 24, 201113 yr Agreed, no need for Cahill, I think he's good but nothing special. On a side note - Charlie Adam will be outed as Mr. Average when he moves to a bigger club. Branna - Luiz - JT - A. Cole That would be my backline... not sure if Alex will want to stay if he's lost his first choice status :( we've also got Bruma who I'd like to see step up. Edited April 24, 201113 yr by Gem
April 24, 201113 yr Never really rated Alex tbh. Great freekick on him and he's very strong, but he's pretty slow and clumsy. I'd have Terry, Luiz and Ivan as the 3 CBs, then we can one 1 youngster as backup, eg: Bruma or similar if Bruma isn't deemed good enough. Then Ivan won't have to play RB all the time and we can get in someone like COleman from Everton to fill that spot.
April 25, 201113 yr Author Do we think that Ivan would be ok with playing as 3rd choice CB? Right now, he's pretty much assured the RB spot, but if we sign a new RB then he's back in to the fray competing for CB positions. And will that work?
April 25, 201113 yr Author Do you think Terry would rotate? And isn't it important to have a CB pairing familiar with one another?
April 25, 201113 yr I would prefer the defensive depth chart to go something like: RB: Ivan, New Signing, Paulo CB: JT, Luiz, Alex, Bruma/Rakjovic LB: Cole, PVA/Bertrand....Zhirkov only in emergencies Bosingwa sold, maybe Mancienne in a utility player role? I really wish either PVA or Bertrand was a RB! Edited April 25, 201113 yr by ace
April 25, 201113 yr I don't think Terry should have to rotate. I had big doubts about him coming into this season but he's really impressed me and turned in a great year. Of course Luiz should be on the pitch as much as possible so that will be our centre back paring next season.Ivan is a valuable and versatile reserve and, if need be, can fill in at centre back even if he is the first choice right back (as he did this season). That is dependent upon having good depth to fill in at right back if Ivan needs to slide over. We have that now but will Boswinga stay? Will he return to his pre-injury form? Can PF turn in another season? And where does Alex fit in? He is best case scenario the third choice at centre back. Will he be content with this?
April 25, 201113 yr At no time, EVER, should we have only 3 CBs. Couple of years ago, for the most part, we only had Ricky, Alex and JT as CBs, and look where that got us? This season, until we bought Luiz, things were pretty crap as well, at the back. Just because Branna can play CB (more accurately, IS a CB), doesn't mean he should be included as 1 of the 4 we must have. Luiz, JT, Alex, Bruma - these are our CBs this season, with Branna pulling a shift now and again, depending on need. Next season, we must continue with the trend of having 4 CBs, with Branna as an emergency option. He's done well at RB, and adds a fourth goal threat for us (all our first-choice defenders can and have scored/set up goals). Whoever leaves, must be replaced by someone of comparable experience and skill, or at least a hot prospect.
April 25, 201113 yr Can I just say that I think JT has had a great season for us? Success-wise, maybe not, but on a personal level he's been rock solid for the most part in a very tough season. Cheers, Butch
April 25, 201113 yr This may annoy a few of you chaps but I believe Ivanovic is better than Luiz defensively. I think a CB pairing of Terry & Ivanovic is our strongest, but our best RB is also Ivanovic (followed by Paulo). I'm sure Luiz will improve, but currently he is slightly less effective. He is better with the ball, however, and will score more goals (maybe not headers's) than Ivanovic. I just hope Ivanovic doesn't get shafted from CB or RB. He is world class. Very reliable. - My 2cents.
April 25, 201113 yr Never really rated Alex tbh. Great freekick on him and he's very strong, but he's pretty slow and clumsy. I'd have Terry, Luiz and Ivan as the 3 CBs, then we can one 1 youngster as backup, eg: Bruma or similar if Bruma isn't deemed good enough. Then Ivan won't have to play RB all the time and we can get in someone like COleman from Everton to fill that spot. I think the problem with Alex is that him and JT don't make a good pairing in general, and have constantly played together. Both are slower defenders, and tend to be put off by quicker opposition when playing together. That was the main issue we had when Riccy left, the link between the pace of Riccy, and JT more solid defending was a good duo that we can again see emerge with the addition of Luiz. For me next year, the starting four will be Ivan, JT, Luiz, and Cole. Keep Alex and Bruma as back-up in the center, add another RB (I would keep Paulo, and ship Boswinga out), the only question mark for back-up for me would be the left side.
April 25, 201113 yr And isn't it important to have a CB pairing familiar with one another? No, it's essential. Can't believe rotating the defence has been suggested.
April 25, 201113 yr I'd like to see us ship out Bosingwa and recall Mancienne after the season and let him be back-up RB.
April 25, 201113 yr Mancienne is 23 years old this year and has spent most of the last 5 years on load. Consider players like Mikel, who is 24, having spent their entire Chelsea career at the club. If Chelsea were serious about Mancienne, they'd have brought him back earlier. I very much doubt he has a future with us.
April 25, 201113 yr Centre back pairing has to be Terry and Luiz. Alex as 3rd and Bruma 4th. Alex is a top quality player, but it is just his pace that lets him down. He'd walk into the Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs teams. Not seen a huge amount of Bruma, but he has to be promising to be on the fringes of our first team. I would like to see Phil Jones of Blackburn signed...he seems very promising, only 19 and he's been playing in their first team for over a year. Could be our new Terry? Don't see Bosingwa going anywhere. Think our back line will be very much the same next year.
April 25, 201113 yr At no time, EVER, should we have only 3 CBs. Couple of years ago, for the most part, we only had Ricky, Alex and JT as CBs, and look where that got us? This season, until we bought Luiz, things were pretty crap as well, at the back. Just because Branna can play CB (more accurately, IS a CB), doesn't mean he should be included as 1 of the 4 we must have. Luiz, JT, Alex, Bruma - these are our CBs this season, with Branna pulling a shift now and again, depending on need. Next season, we must continue with the trend of having 4 CBs, with Branna as an emergency option. He's done well at RB, and adds a fourth goal threat for us (all our first-choice defenders can and have scored/set up goals). Whoever leaves, must be replaced by someone of comparable experience and skill, or at least a hot prospect. This is spot on. I still am not quite sure how Alex has fallen out of everyone's minds. He is an absolute beast and the partnership of Terry and Alex is arguably right up there with the top 3 central defensive partnerships in world football. Luiz is good going forward and he'll get those errors out of his game in time, but for me when everyone is fit Alex and JT are first choice with Branna as RB and Luiz as a very good rotation option. I actually would have preferred us to buy Cahill in January, and use the money on Luiz for something further forward. However, given that we threw financial sense out the window in January and brought Luiz and something further forward I don't think there is any need for Cahill as it stands. Oh and Danny will be returning here next season and hopefully he brings his form like Wilshire did. Edited April 25, 201113 yr by Spiller86
April 25, 201113 yr I agree that our best pairing should be luiz and terry, if alex isn't happy as back up then I'd sell him and bring phil jones in. Alex is world class so obviously I'd prefer to keep him. Ivanovic is a solid defensive right back, I think he can be inconsistant at centre back. The only prob is his delivery is in general poor. I'd sell bosingwa and ferreira, and bring in van der wiel for an expensive long term option, or dario srna who is on a free transfer, he may be 29 but he has excellent delivery, from corners and free kick, is vastly expierienced and would be a great stop gap until we have a youngster breaking through. Our left side is sorted, cole first choice, bertrand and pva as back up, I wouldn't even consider zhirkov in this position. Next season: rb: ivanovic, vanderwiel/srna cb: terry, luiz, alex/jones bruma/rajkovic lb: cole, bertrand, van aanholt Edited April 25, 201113 yr by big blue
April 25, 201113 yr Cahill is a nice player but CB is not where we are lacking at the moment. The only way I could see fitting him in is moving Luiz to the Maka postion (Don't tell me it hasn't crossed your mind) and pairing JT/Cahill with Alex and Brana as backup. I really hope Cahill doesn't go to Arsenal. Edited April 25, 201113 yr by Scott
April 25, 201113 yr Luiz isn't a rock solid defender but he has other qualities that make him a better centre back then Ivan or Alex. I'm not sure he will ever be a rock solid defender because he is a gambler and likes to get forward but he can improve his decision making and positioning. We saw the improvements Ramires was able to make after a few months and I don't see why Luiz won't take a big step forward next season. I also love the versatility that having Luiz and Ivan on the pitch together provides. Both are great in the air, both can get forward and both are comfortable in the middle or out wide. If Luiz wants to push up and join an attack from a central position, Ivan can just slide over and cover with very little lost.
April 25, 201113 yr Ivan is 100% more solid defensively than Luiz at the moment, theres just no debate in it. I have suggested it might be worthwhile to stick Luiz at RB and slot Ivan back into CB until Luiz settles down/adapts to the EPL game. Luiz gives some rash tackles and for me has played a few opponents onsides when they off side trap should of been sprung, Ivan is about as solid defensively as they come. We have Alex, Ivan, Luiz, Terry at CB and an understudy in Bruma which is fantastic. Ivan and Luiz can also play RB and essentially we dont really need a first team specialist RB but a young and hot prospect would be more than enough. LB is owned by Cole although Bertrand may have the option to lease it! We have the best defence in the league and possibley beyond, no reason to mess with it as they can be a steady core for seasons and seasons to come with just JT needing to be moved on in the next few seasons and hopefully being replaced by Bruma. Cahill wont get a game in and even if he could, based on our current squad, we need Sturridge ( a young striker) more than we need Cahill ( a solid CB). Our striker department is led by 2 guys who need to be replaced this summer or next, with only Torres and Kalou capable to lead the line beyond that...and Sturridge...baring any further moves. In CB we have 4 world class talents who will be around for years and years with perhaps only JT needing to leave after 3 more seasons or so and when he does we all hope we have an academy made replacement ready to step in. We would be strengthing one of deepest squad positions by weakening one of our shallowest. So regardless of any other merits of the swap, it would be a poor one from our point of view......plus stikers fetch way more in transfer fee's than CBs...we'd need some cash back too!
April 25, 201113 yr Do we think that Ivan would be ok with playing as 3rd choice CB? Right now, he's pretty much assured the RB spot, but if we sign a new RB then he's back in to the fray competing for CB positions. And will that work? Does your "new RB" list have Sergio Ramos on it? I have several friends supporting RM and they keep telling me he's coming to England.
April 26, 201113 yr He is shockingly bad defensively so I hope its not here, I have heard the rumour too.
April 26, 201113 yr He is shockingly bad defensively so I hope its not here, I have heard the rumour too. While I agree with your defensive assessment of Ramos a Chelsea side with A. Cole and him would be an offensive spectacle. Blues' defense is fine.
