I read somewhere a while back and found it interesting that most of the best left backs of all time, Maldini, Fachetti, Santos, Brehme etc were all naturally right footed. Now these players reached that level by training their left foot to the point that it was no longer their weaker foot. 

 

Now given that there is usually a dearth of quality left backs compared to right backs, here's the question I'm getting to. What is Dave's long term position for us?

 

Given that a lot of teams nowadays play "inverted wingers" whereby left footed players play on the right and visa-versa, there is an argument to be made for playing (and I'm copyrighting this term) inverted fullbacks. 

 

If the winger is cutting onto their stronger foot, a good way to counter that is to have your fullback on their stronger foot defensively when the player comes inside. 

 

Wing play is so different now, you rarely get sides consistently looking to get their wide players to the byline and playing in crosses to a target man. 

 

I think Dave being right footed is what has helped him be so exceptional defensively at left back. 

 

For me, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm quite happy to go into next season with him as our left back again. 

While him being right-footed has been a strength, he does need to work on his left foot (I don't understand why all players don't work on their weaker foot). He often struggles to get a cross in due to it which inhibits us offensively.

While him being right-footed has been a strength, he does need to work on his left foot (I don't understand why all players don't work on their weaker foot). He often struggles to get a cross in due to it which inhibits us offensively.

Players do work on their weak foot, it's just that it's a really hard thing to improve for the majority of people. It's not simply a case of training harder, some will never improve regardless. 

Players do work on their weak foot, it's just that it's a really hard thing to improve for the majority of people. It's not simply a case of training harder, some will never improve regardless. 

 

They will. Put the hours in and it will pay off.

They will. Put the hours in and it will pay off.

If it was that simple no one would have a weak foot.

If it was that simple no one would have a weak foot.

 

Some players are truly inept with their weaker foot and Matthew Syed proved in Bounce that hours of effective practice overcomes lack of talent or natural ability.

I remember the last time a winger beat him was against City way back, when Navas' speed got the better off him. Apart from that, he's been unshakeable. He's on of the low key signing turned into good, but even on FM2012 he was to be a great player 

Some players are truly inept with their weaker foot and Matthew Syed proved in Bounce that hours of effective practice overcomes lack of talent or natural ability.

Sounds interesting, I'll have to give that a read.

I could barely use my left foot 4 or 5 years back but I can pass and shoot quite effectively with it now. I can't say I put in hours and hours of practice, I just began consciously using my left foot a lot more while playing 2-3 times a week... I can only imagine what hours of practice can do for the weaker foot.

Dave on pen duty for the remainder of the season?? 

I really want him to score a goal for Chelsea (in the league). He's came very close against Southampton and Everton. He deserves one!