So it looks all but certain now that Ashley Cole won't be here next year, with a right back being preferred to him at left back. Bertrand will also be gone, as Mourinho clearly doesn't rate him. That will leave us with no proper left backs, so what do you think will happen in the summer? Will we keep playing Azpilcueta at left back and maybe just have a backup option like PVA? Or will we go out and sign someone like Shaw to take the LB spot, leaving Azpilcueta and Ivanovic fighting it out for RB?

Shaw and PVA im hoping for.

hopefully Mourinho will give Bertrand the chance he deserves, sign Shaw then let them battle it out.

Jose said in his press conference on Friday that Ashley will be getting a contract extension

Well he won't necessarily take it if he's not getting games.

I think Ash will be off. Rumours of Liverpool being interested in him and I expect Spurs to show an interest too.

I think it'll either be Shaw or Rodriguez with either Ryan or PvA as back up

I think Ash will be off. Rumours of Liverpool being interested in him and I expect Spurs to show an interest too.

I think it'll either be Shaw or Rodriguez with either Ryan or PvA as back up

/quote]

I think he will be off as well. Huge wages and he will probably want a contract to match. He isn't going to improve nor will he , in all probability, wont regain his first choice status .

He deserves a big payday somewhere else.

Dave has been a revelation at left back and possibly will remain first choice post this season. Ryan alas is just below the level required, he will have a very good career and will command a transfer fee which will no doubt help fund a replacement or maybe one of the on loans or youngsters will be promoted to the squad

Edited February 9, 201412 yr by terraloon

i want Shaw, but i also want to keep ash at the club, and azpi deserves to play somewhere in our team, but ivanovic is superb at rb.... some very tough decisions to be made. if we're looking to build a team for the future then the sensible options would be to let cole leave, buy shaw and play azpi rb and shaw lb next season. but iva and cole have been fantastic servants and it would be a shame to not see them playing here next season

If we want Shaw we best act fast. It's clear United will be in for him in the summer.

We will need to show him we want him plus the lure of CL, title challengers and being a supporter should swing it our way.

Ryan's a great lad but I've never been convinced he will be good enough to be our 1st choice LB, Azpi IMO is streets ahead of him and he's a right back.

i want Shaw, but i also want to keep ash at the club, and azpi deserves to play somewhere in our team, but ivanovic is superb at rb.... some very tough decisions to be made. if we're looking to build a team for the future then the sensible options would be to let cole leave, buy shaw and play azpi rb and shaw lb next season. but iva and cole have been fantastic servants and it would be a shame to not see them playing here next season

I agree cole should go, but ivanovic, no way he is such a key player, one of the best in our team, I think buy shaw, play Ivan on the right shaw on the left and have Azpi backing up both spots.

I actually am growing to like Ivanovic at RB, in an attacking sense. Someone pointed out in another thread how he uses his strength to hold up the ball or just barge past puny wingers. And of course, he is a major goal threat, from open play and from set-pieces. Instead of seeing him as an atypical attacking wing-back, we should embrace his differences and use them to our advantage.

 

I'd like to see him get a little more aggressive and start to play almost a target man role on that right side, pushing up and holding up the ball until the rest of attack can join him. What he needs to 100% cut out of his game are his attempted aerial crosses, especially the ones from the midfield third. He should be instructed to make runs towards the goal line as he is excellent at cutting the ball back and also, with his strength, I wish the very best of luck to any wide player trying to stop him at full pelt. His interplay with Eden Hazard in the last two games is exactly what I'd be wanting from him the majority of the time.

 

 

The other thing is that Mourinho seems to be fan of inverted full-backs (Gallas and Chivu come to mind) because he thinks they're better at forcing wide players into staying out wide. On the evidence of the last month he's absolutely correct, with Azpilicueta much much better defensively.

Edited February 10, 201412 yr by SydneyChelsea

I rate Azpi extremely highly, so if we sign Shaw I want Ivan, Azpi and Shaw to get equal playing time. Azpi would play on separate sides in separate games, whereas Shaw would only be Left and Ivan right.

Problem is I can never see it happening as Jose doesnt seem to like rotating much.

Azpi is just no substitute for a left-footed left back. We need to get one and settle that position for 5 years.

Azpi is just no substitute for a left-footed left back. We need to get one and settle that position for 5 years.

I disagree sorry. I think it makes perfect sense to have one attacking full back and one whose more defensive/solid holding the fort.

Very few teams play two offensively minded full backs at the same time and none of them are/were Mourinho managed teams.

Dave is doing an excellent job at left back and as long as he continues to do an excellent job, I'm happy keep him there.

Most "wingers" these days like to cut inside so having a full back that's adept at keeping them wide makes sense defensively.

Azpi is just no substitute for a left-footed left back. We need to get one and settle that position for 5 years.

 

Based on what?

I think PVA will come back,I think I heard that a few weeks ago Mourinho met him to discuss his future.He is playing really well in holland at the moment

I agree cole should go, but ivanovic, no way he is such a key player, one of the best in our team, I think buy shaw, play Ivan on the right shaw on the left and have Azpi backing up both spots.

 

Have Azpilicueta backing up both spots ???????? No way should Azpilicueta be backup to anyone, this guy is one of the first names on the team sheet right now. He has been fantastic this season.

there are going to be some incredibly tough decisions being made in the next few months regarding azpi/cole/shaw/PVA/Bertrand/Iva etc.

Luckily, we know that the man making the decision will get it absolutely spot on, as he does almost every other decision. Leave it to Jose, guys, and relax!

Get Shaw in, bring PVA or Bertrand back to act as cover. Move Azpi to RB, him and Ivan can fight it out there. Ivan can also move to CB if needed.

Since Azpi has been playing there for us, he's been the best left back in the league. Who cares if he's right footed?

Have Azpilicueta backing up both spots ???????? No way should Azpilicueta be backup to anyone, this guy is one of the first names on the team sheet right now. He has been fantastic this season.

It would be a perfect scenario, we'd have a very good right back in Ivan and a very good left back in shaw, and azpi that is very good at both, rotate them so they have equal playing time. It's better than having to play a weaker squad player when your main guy needs a rest or is injured.

It would be a perfect scenario, we'd have a very good right back in Ivan and a very good left back in shaw, and azpi that is very good at both, rotate them so they have equal playing time. It's better than having to play a weaker squad player when your main guy needs a rest or is injured.

 

Azpi is better than Ivan

It would be a perfect scenario, we'd have a very good right back in Ivan and a very good left back in shaw, and azpi that is very good at both, rotate them so they have equal playing time. It's better than having to play a weaker squad player when your main guy needs a rest or is injured.

 

Rotating every other week would be silly, a defense needs balance, constantly swapping them over wouldn't work.