Posted August 1, 201113 yr Ashley Cole, Ryan B, Pat Van aanholt plus Zhirkov. Ashley Cole is very much the 1st choice.. but we cant keep loaning out Ryan and Van aanholt.. one of them has to go as there pretty much the same age.. decision for Villas-Boas.
August 1, 201113 yr Zhirkov is sold to Anzhi. AVB would have to decide between PvA and Bertrand though, and personally i think that PvA looks like the better player by quite some distance. Impressed me alot in pre-season, and i would not be surprised if he is pretty much rotating with A.Cole this season.
August 1, 201113 yr Why sell them? Left backs are becoming a prized asset. There aren't too many other talented young left backs going around, look at le Arse it's been 5 years and they still haven't adequately replaced Cole.
August 1, 201113 yr Shouldn't be much of a problem there. Ashley's going to go fairly soon, these lads are just 20 and 21 respectively. Cole is 30. One of them will be good enough to dislodge Cole in 2 seasons; Cole will play backup and the other one will be stuck in the Zhirkov role without first team football. Give it a few more seasons and that one will replace Cole as backup. One of them's just got to remain patient.
August 1, 201113 yr Bertrand is alot more talented than PVA IMO PVA was quite shocking on loan last season and is very suspect defending, he reminds me of a left sided Bosingwa but worse! Bertrand looks alot better and seems to be able to actually defend, plus hes English
August 1, 201113 yr I agree that Bertrand would be ahead of Van Aanholt. He's an England U21 international and has more experience having been out on loan for longer.
August 2, 201113 yr Bertrand is far more balanced than van Aanholt- and is English. I do think PvA has a future as a class left winger though. Pace, skill, and a hell of a shot, a good crosser too, and as a converted fullback he also has a great deal of stamina and determination to defend. Would really love to see him as backup to A.N. Other on the left flank, with Sturridge and Anelka given full time duties on the right.
August 2, 201113 yr Agree about Bertrand SC. I still think it'll be a 6 months in, 6 months out loan agreement again.
August 2, 201113 yr I think Bertrand is absolute quality. Obviously he needs more experience but I feel we don't need to look any further for Ash's replacement than him.
August 2, 201113 yr I think Bertrand could be the future LB, and PVA is more likely a left mid/winger. But more likely, both will be sold, and we'll buy expensive new players.