Hello, long time lurker, first time poster.

What is your opinion on Bosingwa under AVB? He has been nothing but great in his apperances so far. In fact, he has impressed me far more than Cole this season (Cole didn't have the best of games at OT, whereas Bosingwa had Young in his pocket all game). Apart from set pieces, where I can recall bosingwa being a culprit, he has played very well. His crossing is not superb, but he has provided a few goals, like the one against Genk and WBA.

For someone labeled as a defensive liability by many over the last season -including me-, I would easily trust him at RB against any opposition at the moment.

Thoughts? Also, apologize if there is some sort of strict rule against same thread as I'm sure there is already a topic on bosingwa.

Welcome.

Been brilliant this season by and large.

Old habits die hard though and he still has lapses.

Cole was given the runaround by Nani, and also Bale at Wembley, but he seems to be over his sticky patch, and has played very well of late.

So long as Bos keeps performing, AVB will play him, and that's how it should be.

He still worries me

He still worries me

He worried me in close defensive games, but against the 'minnows' of the league - he is clearly the best option with his attacking abilities.

He guy is never going to be a defensive right back, but as a pacy wing back, who isn't completely crap at defending (but admittedly has a few lapses) - there isn't a better player who fits the bill better at Chelsea at the moment.

What is your opinion on Bosingwa under AVB? He has been nothing but great in his apperances so far. In fact, he has impressed me far more than Cole this season (Cole didn't have the best of games at OT, whereas Bosingwa had Young in his pocket all game). Apart from set pieces, where I can recall bosingwa being a culprit, he has played very well. His crossing is not superb, but he has provided a few goals, like the one against Genk and WBA.

For someone labeled as a defensive liability by many over the last season -including me-, I would easily trust him at RB against any opposition at the moment.

Not sure I'd agree with that, if anything Young had Bos under the thumb all game. Statistically he had an even worse time than Cole.

However I would say that he's improved, but is still a concern at the back. Against the top sides it's clear that he's out of his depth.

If it's between him and Luiz for a place in the starting XI (which it isn't necessarily) then I would opt for Luiz every time.

I couldn't disagree more.

I've seen nothing of Bosingwa to suggest he is any better than he was last season or even the season before. Was exposed horribly against the one decent team we have faced i.e United.

I want Ivanovic at right back and Luiz/Alex at CB with JT to stop us leaking goals.

Ashley has been poor so far this season (something that hasn't been noticed by most) and it's bad enough playing 4-3-3 and having one full back that is struggling but when you have two your in trouble.

Agaisnt the lower opposition he's fine, as he presses on and forces them back. But against decent teams, his defensive mistakes are more plain to see because we get punished by them more often. Ivanovic would be my choice at RB for those games.

_{http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23986385-andre-villas-boas-has-helped-turn-my-career-around-says-jose-bosingwa.do}

_{http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23986385-andre-villas-boas-has-helped-turn-my-career-around-says-jose-bosingwa.do}

some weird things going on above...tried to post a link to bosingwa article i read recently

some weird things going on above...tried to post a link to bosingwa article i read recently

Oh no, Brits computers having some sort of mid life crisis...

Bossy is playing with more confidence this season. His major weakness is against the high ball at set pieces.

Against Manu I don't think he was that bad but I won't be watching the game again to confirm that.

His pace suits the team right now.

The best cross this season though came from mereiles last weekend.

I too think his weakness is under the high ball, but its long diagonal ones that have me worrying. He gets drawn under the ball far too easily by a decent winger and often finds himself the wrong side of an attacker due to ball watching. For a defender its a basic fundamental and he just doesnt seem able to get to grips with it.

Not sure I'd agree with that, if anything Young had Bos under the thumb all game. Statistically he had an even worse time than Cole.

However I would say that he's improved, but is still a concern at the back. Against the top sides it's clear that he's out of his depth.

If it's between him and Luiz for a place in the starting XI (which it isn't necessarily) then I would opt for Luiz every time.

You mean Ivanovic at RB and Luiz at CB, right? Iirc Luiz had a nightmare at fullback for benfica (though i am sure it was LB).

Stats or not... I recall Cole being ripped apart by Nani. And can't really remember Young doing anything of significance other than the freekick.

I couldn't disagree more.

I've seen nothing of Bosingwa to suggest he is any better than he was last season or even the season before. Was exposed horribly against the one decent team we have faced i.e United.

I want Ivanovic at right back and Luiz/Alex at CB with JT to stop us leaking goals.

Ashley has been poor so far this season (something that hasn't been noticed by most) and it's bad enough playing 4-3-3 and having one full back that is struggling but when you have two your in trouble.

Like I said, I can't recall Bosingwa doing anything wrong in the United game but that is just me. Cole has been far from poor, other than a few games (especially united) and has also contributed a lot.

Edited October 22, 201114 yr by Hd12351

I couldn't disagree more.

I've seen nothing of Bosingwa to suggest he is any better than he was last season or even the season before. Was exposed horribly against the one decent team we have faced i.e United.

I want Ivanovic at right back and Luiz/Alex at CB with JT to stop us leaking goals.

Ashley has been poor so far this season (something that hasn't been noticed by most) and it's bad enough playing 4-3-3 and having one full back that is struggling but when you have two your in trouble.

Totally agree about Bos. He isn't a long term answer for us, and I worry about him against any team with any level of quality. Never been a fan and never will be.

Don't agree about Ivan at RB though and never really have. Hes solid but we need someone dedicated to that position who we can rely on week after week with all the attributes needed to fill that role under AVB, and Ivan or Bos don't do that.

Edited October 22, 201114 yr by bjd

I like him going forward but he's an exploitable weakness in defence and teams are actively targeting him. I think he's been a lot better than previous seasons though and I'm willing to see out his performances as this one progresses before judging how good of a RB he is. Currently AVB seems happy to make the defensive trade-off for his attacking threat, but I do hope his defensive training is a special focus behind the scenes.

I actually thought he did well in open play against United (I don't think Young got a single cross in) which makes me wonder whether he's the type to switch off periodically and loose concentration (say in the lull of set pieces) or just simply defensively challenged.

Oh no, Brits computers having some sort of mid life crisis...

not just my computer!

I like him going forward but he's an exploitable weakness in defence and teams are actively targeting him. I think he's been a lot better than previous seasons though and I'm willing to see out his performances as this one progresses before judging how good of a RB he is. Currently AVB seems happy to make the defensive trade-off for his attacking threat, but I do hope his defensive training is a special focus behind the scenes.

I actually thought he did well in open play against United (I don't think Young got a single cross in) which makes me wonder whether he's the type to switch off periodically and loose concentration (say in the lull of set pieces) or just simply defensively challenged.

Pretty much agree with this.

I think Bosingwa's improved form is showing that in the system, the right-back position works. He's getting lots of time on the ball, but crucially, in good, threatening positions. He's overlapping well and also playing well with the midfielders. The problem is that he lacks technical ability, especially in his poor, poor crossing, and he is prone to huge lapses defensively- he was basically responsible in some way for the first 5 or so goals we conceded this season.

While I don't rate Bosingwa individually, his improved form makes me think that if we had a better quality RB, with better crossing skills, we would be even more productive. It's easier to fix a problem with a system when all you need to do is buy better parts.

I think assembling a team is a matter of making compromises. Sometimes you have to settle for what you've got.

There are better right backs in the world than Jose Bosingwa. But for Chelsea's needs, he's OK. I think his play has really improved under AVB. His pace and his attack positioning are excellnet. His short and medium passes are also quite good. His crosses are generally awful.

He definitely needs a midfielder to drop back and help him against pacy wings. IIRC he was tortured in the United game.

But I reckon he's a good fit for AVB's system, with his pace, ball-handling, short passing and positioning. There are better players at his position, but he'll do.

In the order of priorities, replacing the right back is beneath getting another creative mid and finding a solid backup for Cole. (I think Cole's defense has been quite good this season. His attacking play has not.)

In my view, he's still the weak link in the team. Offensively, he is getting better, but still not putting enough good cross and loses possession (under little pressure) far too often.I prefer Invanoic anytime, may worthwhile to give Luiz a go there. Having said that, he is getting better under AVB, so I trust the manager's judgment here.

The answer is obvious, and everyone who has posted here without spotting this is stupid....

We need to mate Ivan and Bosingwa. Good at defense and going forward. We give the kid some HGH and within 2 years we will have a fantastic RB.

Edited October 23, 201114 yr by ace

Bosovic would be brilliant.

Bosovic would be brilliant.

First name Paulo so that he knows how to cross the ball.