I thought tonight against cresswell Dave looked a yard or two off the pace. Especially in the last 15mins

Should lose the right back spot to Reece James next season imo.

Very handy to have him as a squad player though. Any position across the back line he can play well.

14 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Should lose the right back spot to Reece James next season imo.

Very handy to have him as a squad player though. Any position across the back line he can play well.

No way. Azpilicueta may not be great going forward, but defensively he can't be replaced, especially by rookie who is still learning the game.

Take Azpilicueta out of that defence and I am certain we would concede more goals.

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

No way. Azpilicueta may not be great going forward, but defensively he can't be replaced, especially by rookie who is still learning the game.

Take Azpilicueta out of that defence and I am certain we would concede more goals.

Take Luiz out at the same time and we concede less. Solves that. ?

Azpilicueta is very important to this team. He is developing as a leader very well, I thought he did very well last night. We cant be naive in thinking that having 4 or 5 youth team players at the same time in the team we will still be competing for the title. 

8 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

No way. Azpilicueta may not be great going forward, but defensively he can't be replaced, especially by rookie who is still learning the game.

Take Azpilicueta out of that defence and I am certain we would concede more goals.

Azpi has been beaten loads this season and doesn't have any pace to recover. Just look at his booking yesterday, that happens so often now.

 

I get the feeling that he is seem by the opposition as someone that can be turned, thinking the clock is ticking for Azpi at RB.

Sure he would still be good in a back three though.

56 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

I get the feeling that he is seem by the opposition as someone that can be turned, thinking the clock is ticking for Azpi at RB.

Sure he would still be good in a back three though.

He will end up playing probably ~60 games this season for club + country (15 in our cup competitions alone!). Very very rarely being substituted. He played ~60 last season and 50+ the year before. 

Maybe he's just tired and needs a rest. I would be interested to see if we did actually blood Reece James in 20-30 games next year whether that would improve Azpis performance. 

Edited April 30, 20197 yr by bisright1

13 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

He will end up playing probably ~60 games this season for club + country (15 in our cup competitions alone!). Very very rarely being substituted. He played ~60 last season and 50+ the year before. 

Maybe he's just tired and needs a rest. I would be interested to see if we did actually blood Reece James in 20-30 games next year whether that would improve Azpis performance. 

This is a fair comment and an aspect of Dave's career for the last three years that I have overlooked/taken for granted. I can certainly see the seeds of Ivan's decline in Dave this season, especially with the grappling and gamesmanship to cover the lack of anticipation and pace. maybe he is just a bit fagged out. Wouldn't it be great to blood Reece James alongside him and have Dave mentor the lad. Its something that we never seem to do, but how much could Reece learn in the "art" of defending from Dave. A proper handover which would probably get us another 2-3 of good years from Dave as well.

I still feel Azpi is a good right back, could do with a rest but its not easy when the club buys players like Zappacosta. Problem for Azpi is he is painfully average on the ball going forward, i think Sarri would prefer someone who is better attacking. Don't think we need to buy though, Aina or Reece James can do a good job there.

2 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

This is a fair comment and an aspect of Dave's career for the last three years that I have overlooked/taken for granted. I can certainly see the seeds of Ivan's decline in Dave this season, especially with the grappling and gamesmanship to cover the lack of anticipation and pace. maybe he is just a bit fagged out. Wouldn't it be great to blood Reece James alongside him and have Dave mentor the lad. Its something that we never seem to do, but how much could Reece learn in the "art" of defending from Dave. A proper handover which would probably get us another 2-3 of good years from Dave as well.

G Nev talks a lot about when he realised he couldn't do it anymore and had to retire. How he was being run ragged in one game and he got subbed and just knew.  

He hadnt played more than 40 games in any of the 6 seasons prior and never played more than 25 games in the league. His career was prolonged because of that. 

Azpi for me definitely has another 5 years in our team if he's managed right and we've got the perfect opportunity to do this with Reece James. They could even be co captains ... One can dream 

Edited April 30, 20197 yr by bisright1

 

 

Legs look shot. Some interesting comments about Reece James from Lamps after the game too. I think James will be our first choice RB a lot sooner than we expect.

9 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Legs look shot. Some interesting comments about Reece James from Lamps after the game too. I think James will be our first choice RB a lot sooner than we expect.

Who would you have as captain if Azpi is sitting it out ? Rudiger perhaps ?

Shame RLC is crocked, as I'd give him a crack at it ...

Just now, Sexyfootball said:

Who would you have as captain if Azpi is sitting it out ? Rudiger perhaps ?

Shame RLC is crocked, as I'd give him a crack at it ...

David Luiz... oh wait. 

10 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Legs look shot. Some interesting comments about Reece James from Lamps after the game too. I think James will be our first choice RB a lot sooner than we expect.

That's going to happen when he's told to keep pressing high up the pitch for the whole match. 

Azpi has never been particularly good going forward. He excels in more defensive systems, especially under Jose and Conte. His frailties have been shown in a more offensive system. Reece James is so talented that I really expect him to take Azpi's place. Reece James has so much to his game, from crossing, strength, pace, dribbling, technically proficient and defensively pretty strong. 

11 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Who would you have as captain if Azpi is sitting it out ? Rudiger perhaps ?

Shame RLC is crocked, as I'd give him a crack at it ...

Probably not a popular opinion but i'd be tempted to give it to Jorginho. Lamps has come out and said about how vocal he is in training etc.

11 hours ago, Remodez said:

That's going to happen when he's told to keep pressing high up the pitch for the whole match. 

Emerson looked fine doing it. Don't think Azpi is suited to full back anymore. 

22 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Probably not a popular opinion but i'd be tempted to give it to Jorginho. Lamps has come out and said about how vocal he is in training etc.

Emerson looked fine doing it. Don't think Azpi is suited to full back anymore. 

Emerson has played the majority of his career as a wingback or further up in left midfield. 

There's nothing wrong with Azpi, the system of constantly pressing high up the pitch does not suit him and just leaves him isolated. 

Edited August 12, 20196 yr by Remodez

35 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Probably not a popular opinion but i'd be tempted to give it to Jorginho. Lamps has come out and said about how vocal he is in training etc.

Emerson looked fine doing it. Don't think Azpi is suited to full back anymore. 

I think Lampard is going to replace Jorginho with Kante though.

12 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I think Lampard is going to replace Jorginho with Kante though.

With Luiz gone we need Jorginho for his creativity from deep. Kovacic can't play as deep as Jorginho imo. I think we'll see a Kante-Jorginho pivot. 

49 minutes ago, jack_super_class said:

I think Lampard is going to replace Jorginho with Kante though.

I think Jorginho will get more rest than last season as he will probably interchange with Kante and play in the games where his creativity is needed more such as in games against mid-low table sides.

In the games vs top four he will likely be rested for Kante to give us that added protection in defence while the defence gels together over the course of the season. 

39 minutes ago, enigma said:

I think Jorginho will get more rest than last season as he will probably interchange with Kante and play in the games where his creativity is needed more such as in games against mid-low table sides.

In the games vs top four he will likely be rested for Kante to give us that added protection in defence while the defence gels together over the course of the season. 

So you expect Kovacic to play every game next to either one of those two?