15 hours ago, edewaarb said:

Does anyone see him moving into a CB spot as he gets older? It'd be nice to see the younger legs of Reece James take RB and have the experience and leadership of Azpi at CB

I could see it, people say his height would be an issue but he's no smaller than Puyol. His positioning and ball winning in the air would be fine for me, so long as there is someone more dominant next to him.

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I could see it, people say his height would be an issue but he's no smaller than Puyol. His positioning and ball winning in the air would be fine for me, so long as there is someone more dominant next to him.

He`s played centre back quite a few times for us i the past, and did pretty well, though I think that might have been more in a 3 than a 2.

37 minutes ago, dkw said:

He`s played centre back quite a few times for us i the past, and did pretty well, though I think that might have been more in a 3 than a 2.

Yeah can't seem to remember him playing in a 2, was a monster for Conte in the 3 though. 

Fernandinho plays for City in a 2 man partnership and is 2cm smaller than Azpi. I don't think its a big issue if you're dominating the game with possession. 

Funny that people said he was finished and Reece should play in his place as first choice. Oh and that he can’t cross or create for the side.

Yet here we are and he has the most assists in the entire squad. It’s no secret that Azpilicueta has been one of my favourite players ever since he signed. He’s a consummate profession & his work ethic is incredible. He’s been one of our most consistent players in the last 8 years that he’s been with us. Jose wasn’t wrong when he said 11 Azpi’s could win you the title. 
 

An absolutely top professional and person. Proud that he’s the captain of the club, he clearly loves the club and fans as well which makes it even more special.

I liked seeing Azpi on the Left yesterday, I don't think he is a CB except in a three.

Just a thought on him being on the Left, when the ball is played up to him unlike normal LBs he can easily go inside.

Good teams will recognize that and adapt to show him down the outside.

 

 

Azpi certainly solves our left back problem area, and also allows james to get a start in the side. I hope we keep with that solution for a while and see how it pans out. Azpi might not offer the threat going forward that Alonso does but he sure as sh*t knows how to defend better.

I thought he started the season pretty poorly, especially by the high standards he has set over the years. 

But he has been solid for most of the season, and really has grown into that leadership role. 

Still 1st choice ahead of James for me next season, but i think it will be a nice changing of the guard if Reece can learn from one if the best in the buisness. 

6 hours ago, EdinburghBlue said:

 

Maybe everyone else is playing so sh*te it’s making him look better than he is? 

16 hours ago, Munkworth said:

Maybe everyone else is playing so sh*te it’s making him look better than he is? 

He has played the most matches so stats likely to be good, also with aerial duels he is quite tall for a wide back so that might make those stats better. 

Certainly thought he was good against Watford. 

 

Azpi has been a fantastic player for us, and has done brilliantly as a CB and LB as well as RB. He's a good captain, but obviously no JT as a leader and defensive organiser.

Reece James is the future, but he needs to raise his game to oust Azpi. No doubt in my mind he has the potential to be a great for us, but he's been way off his best form since the restart. Azpi's form has been terrific.

2 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

He has played the most matches so stats likely to be good, also with aerial duels he is quite tall for a wide back so that might make those stats better. 

Certainly thought he was good against Watford. 

 

I really am starting to think you’re Sarri in disguise 

Another excellent display last night from the captain, who has now surpassed two legends (Drogba and Osgood) in the all time player appearances for the club.

He's in good company.

All time:

• Ron Harris = 795
• Peter Bonetti = 729
• John Terry = 717
• Frank Lampard = 648
• John Hollins = 592
• Petr Cech = 494
• Dennis Wise = 445
• Steve Clarke = 421
• Kerry Dixon = 420
• Eddie McCreadie = 410
• John Bumstead = 409
• Ken Armstrong = 402
• Cesar Azpilicueta = 382
• Didier Drogba = 381
• Peter Osgood = 380

Abramovich era:

• John Terry = 599
• Frank Lampard = 547
• Petr Cech = 494
• Cesar Azpilicueta = 382
• Didier Drogba = 381
• Branislav Ivanovic = 377
• John Obi Mikel = 372
• Eden Hazard = 352
• Ashley Cole = 338
• Willian = 337

I think Azpilicueta has been one of our best players since the restart. 2nd after Pulisic.

1 hour ago, Jezz said:

Another excellent display last night from the captain, who has now surpassed two legends (Drogba and Osgood) in the all time player appearances for the club.

He's in good company.

All time:

• Ron Harris = 795
• Peter Bonetti = 729
• John Terry = 717
• Frank Lampard = 648
• John Hollins = 592
• Petr Cech = 494
• Dennis Wise = 445
• Steve Clarke = 421
• Kerry Dixon = 420
• Eddie McCreadie = 410
• John Bumstead = 409
• Ken Armstrong = 402
• Cesar Azpilicueta = 382
• Didier Drogba = 381
• Peter Osgood = 380

Abramovich era:

• John Terry = 599
• Frank Lampard = 547
• Petr Cech = 494
• Cesar Azpilicueta = 382
• Didier Drogba = 381
• Branislav Ivanovic = 377
• John Obi Mikel = 372
• Eden Hazard = 352
• Ashley Cole = 338
• Willian = 337

All this for what was it, £7m transfer fee? What a signing he has been.

4 minutes ago, dkw said:

All this for what was it, £7m transfer fee? What a signing he has been.

I was just about to post exactly that .... absolutely outstanding value for money.

Hope he ends up in our all-time top 10 for appearances before he is done ...

I can see him surpassing Wise in appearances. He'll nearly be 34 before he can overtake Cech, and that is only if he plays every game, so that is probably not going to happen.

The word stalwart was invented for Azpi.

On 15/07/2020 at 17:33, dkw said:

All this for what was it, £7m transfer fee? What a signing he has been.

Commentators mentioned it last night. 383 games for 7m pounds. Up there with Brana as the best value for money signing we've made in my view.  

Another assist for him too. I think he might be still leading that stat for the team this year.

Sometimes I think Dave isn't appreciated enough, so it was lovely to hear Super Frank sing Dave's praises after the Wolves match. On that note, I will post this video for Dave again

 

The best 7/10 player I've ever seen. 

5 minutes ago, Deino said:

The best 7/10 player I've ever seen. 

Very consistent player, got away with one yesterday when he slid in but his mistakes are very few per season. Had to laugh at his smile after getting booked yesterday reminded me of Pennywise the clown.

I should have included Super Frank's praise of Dave in my previous post, but here it is:

 

On 27/07/2020 at 20:33, robdog said:

I should have included Super Frank's praise of Dave in my previous post, but here it is:

 

It’s great to see Frank appreciating what Azpilicueta delivers week in, week out. One of the most underrated players by our fan base I think we’ve ever had (I’m not specifically talking about this forum). He’s taken a lot of stick from our supporters in the last year or so but I’d argue he’s been up their for POTY. His levels of consistency are second to none. All of our players have rough patches but he performs to such a high level consistency it’s scary. Of course he has had rough patches, but in his 7 years (I think) with the club you can count them on one hand which is quite the compliment. He’ll without a doubt go down as a legend in my book. I hope he’s with Chelsea until he retires.

If we only had 2 of them...

He's probably been our only decent defender all season and he could be injured when the new season begins.