I like Gaz seems like a top bloke and has been a really solid defender for us over the years. 

I always thought he had a mistake in him when we played with a 4 but since the switch to a back 5/3 whichever you like to call it, he's been really solid defensively.

 

Now I know we can say that Kante has had a big part to play in this, which he has for the whole defence but I think they all deserve credit.

 

However I do think that we could improve moving forward, with the CL next year though we have plenty of games for everyone to get game time. I think he's great to have around.

 

Personally out of the back three he would be the one that I would assume would need to make way for the younger guys coming through like Zouma/Christensen/Ake.

He's had a good season, clearly the worst of our 3, which is no discrimination by the way, most defenders on this form would be worse than Dave & Luiz.

However noticed on the ball last night he was shaky, a number of times Luiz would play him the ball and he'd be very hesitant with what to do next and could see Luiz getting frustrated. I think in the system we play you need 3 players who are extremely comfortable on the ball. We have that with Dave & Luiz but Cahill isn't a natural ball player and is prone to a mistake. 

For the same reasons this is why I don't see Zouma fitting in the system. He's physically strong & fast but not great on the ball, as much as I admire both of these players I think their time with us will come to an end in the next couple of years and will be replaced by Christensen, Ake and maybe another continental signing.

3 hours ago, Blueblur said:

Moses had to wait until he was in his mid-twenties before nailing down a regular spot. Only 5 years til Christensen makes the grade then...

Thats one way to look at it. 

Or you can say Conte needed one pre-season to look at Moses and made him an integral part of Chelsea. Maybe Andreas will go down the same road....

3 hours ago, Zeta said:

I think Christensen has a better long term future here than Zouma, personally.

With the way Conte's trying to make us play i would say almost certainly.

Leads by example!!!!

 

Gives a penalty away, makes up for it by scoring the winner. Just what you need from big players.

Don Antonio on the virtues of GC going forward & leading the line

"For me Gary can play also as a centre-forward. He has a good quality, acrobatic qualities, and he's very strong during set-pieces."

Well now there's absolutely no hope for Batshayaui.

On 3/18/2017 at 18:20, Scott Harris said:

Gives a penalty away, makes up for it by scoring the winner. Just what you need from big players.

I'd rather have my big players not making silly decisions and giving away penalties i think 

He was always a good defender, perhaps not in the ranks of JT or Carvalho for example but a good servant for the club and always comes with his 100%. He did have terrible games where he made critical mistakes but to sum his Chelsea career it was very good. Saying all this i am not certain he will keep his starting spot next season with Zouma and Ake all ready to go, even with Christensen returning. He should stay as a squad player and for rotation as we will have Europe back next season.

9 hours ago, TrueBlueBIH said:

He was always a good defender, perhaps not in the ranks of JT or Carvalho for example but a good servant for the club and always comes with his 100%. He did have terrible games where he made critical mistakes but to sum his Chelsea career it was very good. Saying all this i am not certain he will keep his starting spot next season with Zouma and Ake all ready to go, even with Christensen returning. He should stay as a squad player and for rotation as we will have Europe back next season.

Gary Cahill will be wearing the Chelsea captains arm band next season

On 20/03/2017 at 10:37, RIP Mourinho said:

I'd rather have my big players not making silly decisions and giving away penalties i think 

To be fair, that shouldn't have been a penalty and he almost never makes such mistakes in the box.

I have been quite a critic of his in the past, mostly because of his composure on the ball and passing ability, but he has done superbly this season. His passing is still a bit limited and somewhat wayward but this 3 man central defence suits him perfectly. He's the real old school defender we have to complement the ball players.

Looks good for him in this system but someone like Christenson will hopefully gradually move into his position with greater effect eventually!

I don't think any team other than possibly Real have had as many big game goal scoring defenders as we have in the last decade or two. I don't know how they always save their goals for the big/difficult occasion.

17 hours ago, luckywerthers said:

Gary Cahill will be wearing the Chelsea captains arm band next season

I think of the 3 he's most likely to lose his place netx season. Personally I'd consider giving it to Luiz.

I have critisized Gary a lot but ge's been pretty great all season. Still limited but at his peak. Awesome job Gazza.

5 hours ago, Zeta said:

I think of the 3 he's most likely to lose his place netx season. Personally I'd consider giving it to Luiz.

I can't see Christensen putting up with another loan, so you might be right.

conte needs experience at the back, can not see jt getting back in, so surely cahill is going to get another season at the helm ?

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/03/cahill-handed-england-armband-in-germany.html?extcmp=SOCIA_FB_ENG_ARTICLES

17 hours ago, luckywerthers said:

conte needs experience at the back, can not see jt getting back in, so surely cahill is going to get another season at the helm ?

Azpi and Luiz are very experienced, infact you could argue the balance is perfect to bring in Christensen next season.

 

Kept Zaha onside for the 2nd goal for some reason and kept him on again for what should have been goal 3 in the 2nd half. Literally, step up Gary

41 minutes ago, TheChelseaBlues said:

Kept Zaha onside for the 2nd goal for some reason and kept him on again for what should have been goal 3 in the 2nd half. Literally, step up Gary

That's really clutching at straws, and indicates to me someone who never actually played at any decent level in a defensive position.

4 hours ago, yorkleyblue said:

That's really clutching at straws, and indicates to me someone who never actually played at any decent level in a defensive position.

Sure, you have to have been a pro in order to know what you're talking about. Why am I even here? Just watch the game, if he steps up and gets in line with his mates either of those times Zaha is offside. This is basic knowledge dude, like U10 level stuff. 

Edited April 3, 20179 yr by TheChelseaBlues

Never said you had to have been a pro, but a basic understanding of defensive play obtained at schoolboy level, rather than hearing it from TV commentators, would tell you that a situation like that is all a matter of split-second decision-making with no right or wrong.  That's why top defenders are respected.

18 hours ago, yorkleyblue said:

That's really clutching at straws, and indicates to me someone who never actually played at any decent level in a defensive position.

The second goal is shocking defending by Cahill. As soon as Zaha makes a run off side you leave him, he's out of the game. Cahill follows him then makes no effort to get back into a sensible position. Even when the ball is played to Zaha he either has to engage him or block the passing line, Cahill instead stands in no mans land. 

 

i've played full back a high standard all my life, so hopefully my opinion is valid.