Just on a side note, surely Azpi shouldve been on the post and Abraham shouldve been zonal marking on that corner? 

 

10 minutes ago, big blue said:

Just on a side note, surely Azpi shouldve been on the post and Abraham shouldve been zonal marking on that corner? 

 

Agreed big blue, but I think you’re just asking for trouble with zonal marking full stop

Feels like our system leaves all the back 4 exposed, especially when we lose possession in the middle of the park. Coupled with an iffy (or at best not established) centre back pairing, Azpi's steady decline looks steeper than it might be. Looked more compact against Liverpool but a bit wild again v Leicester

10 minutes ago, aantoniou1 said:

Feels like our system leaves all the back 4 exposed, especially when we lose possession in the middle of the park. Coupled with an iffy (or at best not established) centre back pairing, Azpi's steady decline looks steeper than it might be. Looked more compact against Liverpool but a bit wild again v Leicester

I think there’s a fair argument that Azpi has been used to playing in a solid defence in the past and also a solid keeper. Those facts combined and the changes he’s had to adhere to have in no doubt affected his confidence, but we’re so used to his reliability we’ve almost been spoiled. Kepa fills me with zero confidence with the ball at his feet and Azpi just looks as though he doesn’t want to receive it. Perhaps when Rudi comes back he will settle a bit especially with the promising start that Emerson has made

2 hours ago, Osgoodwasgood said:

Agreed big blue, but I think you’re just asking for trouble with zonal marking full stop

I dont think we have much choice at the moment. We are a small side. If we went man to man, then it would leave us mismatched against most prem teams. 

If zouma and rudiger are playing centre back, Alonso at left back, RLC in midfield, and Giroud up top, then i think we could match up man to man with any team, but i since that is impossible at the moment, and unlikely even if all are fit,  i think lamps has to work on zonal marking, and try get good at a system we can utilise regardless of personnel.

Decent performance today

People have been getting on his back this season, but there is no doubt that he is our most dangerous full back out of him and Emerson. Emerson is better at running past players, but it's Azpilicueta that is the one creating the chances right now. 

He had a good game today and effort is always top notch even on bad days.

People have been getting on his back this season, but there is no doubt that he is our most dangerous full back out of him and Emerson. Emerson is better at running past players, but it's Azpilicueta that is the one creating the chances right now. 

I think he creates more because we generally attack down the right more we suck teams into the left and switch play

Thought emerson was poor, Dave was good. Reece James will be better.

Edited August 25, 20196 yr by axman2526

He's definitely playing in a more advanced attacking role this season, whether his legs could keep up with running up down remains to be seen. I haven't seen much of Reece James either, but Lampard wouldn't have got rid of Zapacosta if James isn't ready.

Love the guy but his future is at CB here if Reece James develops. He's said so much himself. I don't know how much longer we'll have to cherish him unless he resigns himself to a backup role. If he does he'll be a Ferreira-esque figure for a few years. 

He could also move back to Spain and be a first choice RB for a couple more years. 

At just 5'10 not sure CB in a traditional back four would work for him.

16 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

At just 5'10 not sure CB in a traditional back four would work for him.

Puyol, Zanetti, Moore etc.

3 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Puyol, Zanetti, Moore etc.

I think time has moved on and athletes are bigger and more physical and though the players you mention performed wonders for their clubs don't think they would cut it in todays EPL.

4 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

I think time has moved on and athletes are bigger and more physical and though the players you mention performed wonders for their clubs don't think they would cut it in todays EPL.

If anything football has gone in the opposite direction. Back in those days Puyol and Zanetti would have had to deal with Drogba's and Ibra's. 

How many top clubs have powerhouse forwards nowdays? Kane is the only one i can really think of and even he prefers the ball to feet.

17 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

At just 5'10 not sure CB in a traditional back four would work for him.

Nothing to do with height, I just don't think he has the ability to read the game well in center back in the same vein as someone like Ake who is also pretty short. 

They were targeting Azpi like teams targeted Ivanovic in 15/16. It feels like he lost 9/10 one on ones against their number 11. Having no Kante doesn't help but I really think there needs to be a change somewhere to help him out.

Edit: when ever do you see team place 3 players in his area so often? I've only seen this sh*t against Ivan in 15/16, they know he's a weak link

Edited August 31, 20196 yr by sonic90

Not even close to Chelsea-quality anymore. Not even close i tell you.

Needs to be benched asap. Costing us every single time he gets near the pitch.

And yes, Chelsea-great and all that. It's time to be blunt - he needs to go.

Beginning to look a bit like the last year or two of Ivanovic, doesn't seem to have the legs to stick tight enough to his man. Time and time again he's either gotten done, or has sat off the winger enough to allow them to get a free cross in this short season thus far.

He's resembling Ivanovic of 2015/2016.

I just hope it's a form slump and not something that will become more permanent in the future.

I dont see how you can defend that second half perfomance from him. Easily beaten for both goals, yes the marking in the box was poor, azpi has to do better. Sloppy on the ball as well.

Did okay 1st half, but you have to worry when he comes up against a quality winger, when he us getting megged and turned inside out by players knowones heard of. 

So who starts instead of Azpi next week? He has been mediocre-to-horrendous every match.

 

Love the man but he is done. Teams are now deliberately targeting him. When City comes, you know Pep would put Sterling on him with the fastest fullback they have just to make sure.