5 hours ago, PedroMendez said:

From what I have seen/read, admittedly not many full games, Hysaj at RB plays a lot more defensively than Ghoulam on the left and it isn't really his job to bomb forward playing high and wide, in an attacking sense his role is more about positioning himself intelligently to keep possession ticking over which Azpi should be more than capable of.

If Sarri chooses to play exactly the same way as at Napoli, Azpi is superior to Hysaj in that specific role. 

Personally I'm more worried about the LB situation.  

I think Emerson could develop a lot under Sarri. Emerson is already in that attacking fullback mould, he just needs to improve on his positioning.

Theres no way a manager cant rate Azpi. Like Kante he's a mangers dream.

9 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

Theres no way a manager cant rate Azpi. Like Kante he's a mangers dream.

And can play as FB on either side, as he has proven

41 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

Theres no way a manager cant rate Azpi. Like Kante he's a mangers dream.

If any manager was to leave Azpilicueta out of the team, i would question their ability as a coach.

Apart from the Spanish Nation coach, but he's only been there for 2 weeks. I reckon he should play in the knock out games, you don't want both of your fullbacks to run to the other end and leave the defenders up against fast attackers.

12 hours ago, icecoolguy22 said:

Apart from the Spanish Nation coach, but he's only been there for 2 weeks. I reckon he should play in the knock out games, you don't want both of your fullbacks to run to the other end and leave the defenders up against fast attackers.

I actually think Azpilicueta should be in that Spain defence. They need some balance in there and somebody who actually likes to defend. Even in his own country he is underrated. He's better than Nacho and Alba has been poor for a long time now, he always gets caught out defensively.

40 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I actually think Azpilicueta should be in that Spain defence. They need some balance in there and somebody who actually likes to defend. Even in his own country he is underrated. He's better than Nacho and Alba has been poor for a long time now, he always gets caught out defensively.

He plays for Chelsea though, not Barcelona or Real madrid, so those 2 will always be picked ahead of him.

12 minutes ago, Zeta said:

He plays for Chelsea though, not Barcelona or Real madrid, so those 2 will always be picked ahead of him.

Its funny how accurate this is, really. If he was at either one of those clubs, there is no doubt, in my mind, he would start nearly every match.

Lovely gesture by Dave right here

 

Be interesting to see who Sarri makes his captain.

 

Really hope it's Dave.

I really hope it is Dave as well. I think we need an ever present to be the captain. Safe to say Sarri will play him in every game as every manager has done. 

I think he represents the club in the best possible way. 

Not gonna lie, thought he's looked a bit uncomfortable at RB. Might just take a bit of time to get used to but he offers little going forward and uncomfortable passing it about under pressure. 

Would be tempted to start the season with Zappacosta tbh. 

The fullbacks can't go forward much, that would leave just 2 CBs in a high line on their own, it would be absolute suicide.

Start Dave as the more defensive FB. Sarri used the LB in attack more at Napoli because that played to their strengths. He could just as easily flip it and start using a RB if it suited his team. 

I think we're much better suited to having our LB make overlapping runs since we have Hazard cutting in opening that space. 

An argument could be made it would be more advantageous to keep our LB defensive allowing Hazard no defensive responsibility wide; instead floating forward to press and Willi playing a more natural up and down role. 

Edited August 6, 20187 yr by TheChelseaBlues

4 minutes ago, Zeta said:

The fullbacks can't go forward much, that would leave just 2 CBs in a high line on their own, it would be absolute suicide.

Still doesn't alter the fact he looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet under pressure. 

Napoli's 433 was very asymmetrical. The middle 3 were all very different and only one of the full backs was the "marauding" type. So may be it's OK if Azpilicueta isn't that good going forward?

Having said that could he may be end up at centre back? And didn't Rudiger play full back at one of his previous clubs? Can a bit of reshuffling happen?

6 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Still doesn't alter the fact he looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet under pressure. 

Most of them did. City's press is much better than ours. They close down the angles, we just have players running one by one at the defender with the ball.

The full backs struggled to get forward, but is it any wonder when we have azpi and Pedro vs Sane and Mandy on one flank. Then alonso and CHO vs Walker and Mahrez on the other.

Tough game for everyone. 

I'm sure we will see more full back support when we start keep possession in the final 3rd a bit better. 

15 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Not gonna lie, thought he's looked a bit uncomfortable at RB. Might just take a bit of time to get used to but he offers little going forward and uncomfortable passing it about under pressure. 

Would be tempted to start the season with Zappacosta tbh. 

I'll give him 3 games to get used to it again. The guy is the best around at adapting to positions. Starting Zappacosta ahead of him is just laughable, the guy isn't exactly great at getting forward or passing under pressure either. He also isn't even close to being the defender that Azpilicueta is either. I can't even think of any time where Zappacosta put in a really good defensive performance for us.

Edited August 6, 20187 yr by Scott Harris

7 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I'll give him 3 games to get used to it again. The guy is the best around at adapting to positions. Starting Zappacosta ahead of him is just laughable, the guy isn't exactly great at getting forward or passing under pressure either. He also isn't even close to being the defender that Azpilicueta is either. I can't even think of any time where Zappacosta put in a really good defensive performance for us.

Not disputing that Azpi is the better player in most senses but Zappacosta just looked more comfortable in the role than Azpi. Obviously its only pre-season and any anyone can look good playing in friendlies.

Excellent news, he's signed a new four-year deal:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/12/4/new-azpilicueta-contract-announced

 

I absolutely love the guy, he's a true professional, loves the club, and is a hugely capable player; I hope he retires with us.

We've been enormously lucky with the quality of some of our right-backs over the past couple of decades - Azpilicueta is more than worthy of that canon.

34 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

Excellent news, he's signed a new four-year deal:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/12/4/new-azpilicueta-contract-announced

 

I absolutely love the guy, he's a true professional, loves the club, and is a hugely capable player; I hope he retires with us.

We've been enormously lucky with the quality of some of our right-backs over the past couple of decades - Azpilicueta is more than worthy of that canon.

Superb news, quite possibly one of the best value signings we have ever made alongside Flo, Cuducini etc.

Great news that he's signed a four year extension to his contract.

Haven't we got some footballing genius posting in here who claims Dave is crap and the cause of all Alonso's woe's as well?  I think Dave might have stolen his crayons or something like that.

Excellent news that he's extended.

I think Azpi has more potential to adapt to the system than Alonso. However, I don't think anybody can look at Azpi and say with confidence he has been playing well under the new system. He's actually looked one of the weaker links, but I am confident and hopeful that he will adapt. He has been playing at CB and LB for the past few seasons so perhaps it will take time.