Not to mention Paulo Maldini and Javier Zanetti.

 

And Cafu captained Brazil when they won the World Cup in 02.

Edited October 19, 201510 yr by TJB

Baines? Or have I made that up?

I would imagine Baines is 1st choice there. I know Howard has been as well though.

I hope Dave doesnt have to be or isnt given the chance to be captain. Best case scenario for me is Hazard turns into our leader on and off the pitch.

One of our own great defenders was a full back captain, chopper Harris. Though he was a centre back too.

Stuart pearce was a pretty good captian

Isn't Jagielka Everton captain? Baines may well be vice-captain though (although by rights it should obviously be Leon Osman)

 

Azpilicueta is a truly fantastic player, unbelievably consistent, and has been one of the first of the misfiring players to return to form this season. He's a really good all-rounder as well, he's good on the ball, he's strong, he's fast, he's disciplined and has very good tactical intelligence. Without knowing him personally or having some insight of what goes on in the dressing room it's hard to say whether or not he'd make an effective captain; others have rightly pointed out that it largely depends on what the manager wants and what is the best fit for the team. He seems like a nice guy and certainly can't be faulted for anything he does on the pitch, but it's impossible to know just how much influence he has behind the scenes, how well he gets on with the rest of the team, etc. I don't really see any reason why he wouldn't be capable of that, especially if he is here for a long time.

 

Players like JT are few and far between now - genuine authority figures, role models, and 'proper' club men that everyone can turn to and whose advice/orders they can rely upon when a problem comes up. I really like those stories about him paying for youth team driving lessons and such. As well as being practically helpful, it suggests that the senior players care about what goes on in the lower ranks and paints a picture of a man who lives and dies with the fate of the club. I hope we can find someone who can do the job (although I also hope it isn't necessary for a while) but regardless of who replaces JT they will find his boots impossible to fill in the same way.

 

I'm not really sure who else we could turn to as a long-term replacement - I think the players that are young enough to be viable won't have had the time to impose themselves enough on the club - I suppose we could do what we did with JT in the first place and give it to Zouma?

 

For the time being I think Ivanovic is probably a good choice as he's clearly got some sway, he lives humbly (which I think is a very important virtue to champion to the generation of younger players coming through - especially considering the wages they get and the pressures they'll be under), and I've read somewhere about his involvement in the youth team panels.

That would be a story, imagine looking back in 100 years and seeing a Spanish full back named Cesar Azpilicueta, who was more affectionately known as Dave, captained Chelsea after the legend JT

Anybody else noticed he has been poor recently? I think he needs a good rest so he won't do a Matic!

Anybody else noticed he has been poor recently? I think he needs a good rest so he won't do a Matic!

Eh I didn't notice to be honest, I think he's been excellent. Against PSG they had to switch Lucas to the right wing because Azpilicueta completely shut down the left wing. I didn't see a single attacking ball coming into our area from his side. And our defence has been decent of late as well, so i'm sorry, but I'm at a loss as to where you're seeing this, I think he's actually in good form

Eh I didn't notice to be honest, I think he's been excellent. Against PSG they had to switch Lucas to the right wing because Azpilicueta completely shut down the left wing. I didn't see a single attacking ball coming into our area from his side. And our defence has been decent of late as well, so i'm sorry, but I'm at a loss as to where you're seeing this, I think he's actually in good form

Is he still excellent?

Eh I didn't notice to be honest, I think he's been excellent. Against PSG they had to switch Lucas to the right wing because Azpilicueta completely shut down the left wing. I didn't see a single attacking ball coming into our area from his side. And our defence has been decent of late as well, so i'm sorry, but I'm at a loss as to where you're seeing this, I think he's actually in good form

 

He was asleep for their 2nd goal, they got behind him way too easily. And it wasn't the only time it happened.

His first major error in about 3 years. I wouldn't worry about it. 

The goal was very similar to the one Stoke scored. We got caught in transition, our full-backs pushed up too high and when PSG/Stoke recovered the ball they exploited the space behind the full-backs.

 

That suggests to me that the system is the problem. Everyone seemed excited about our full-backs pushing on because Mourinho wouldn't let them, well this is the flipside of that coin.

The goal was very similar to the one Stoke scored. We got caught in transition, our full-backs pushed up too high and when PSG/Stoke recovered the ball they exploited the space behind the full-backs.

That suggests to me that the system is the problem. Everyone seemed excited about our full-backs pushing on because Mourinho wouldn't let them, well this is the flipside of that coin.

That second goal wasn't because azpiliucueta was caught up field. He was was just ball watching. He couldve closed the passing angle, or tracked the runner from the position he was in.

He fell asleep a couple of times. Not one of his best performances, im sure he will make up for it on Saturday.

The goal was very similar to the one Stoke scored. We got caught in transition, our full-backs pushed up too high and when PSG/Stoke recovered the ball they exploited the space behind the full-backs.

 

That suggests to me that the system is the problem. Everyone seemed excited about our full-backs pushing on because Mourinho wouldn't let them, well this is the flipside of that coin.

 

 A bit too eager to use the flip side point there..

 

Both goals can be easily avoided if he's aware of his surrounding.. can't believe, off all players, he's guilty for such case..  

Starting to wonder if LB now is his better position,were he can focus on his defensive duties. He wasn't over clever against Stoke and last night he was caught ball watching.

That second goal wasn't because azpiliucueta was caught up field. He was was just ball watching. He couldve closed the passing angle, or tracked the runner from the position he was in.

He fell asleep a couple of times. Not one of his best performances, im sure he will make up for it on Saturday.

 

Watching it back on the replay and you're right. He's about 10 yards in front of his central defence and pressing up but when the ball falls to Motta (?!) who plays it on to Di Maria.

 

Part of me thinks he expected Fabregas to track Di Maria there but it's poor nonetheless.

I can't remember a match we have played this season without him, so I think he needs a rest.

Watching it back on the replay and you're right. He's about 10 yards in front of his central defence and pressing up but when the ball falls to Motta (?!) who plays it on to Di Maria.

Part of me thinks he expected Fabregas to track Di Maria there but it's poor nonetheless.

To be fair it looked like the di maria pass to motta would be cut out, but it just squeezed past mikel. No excuse really, but it I think contributed to his lapse in concentration.

I think he'd make a great captain. It doesn't matter that he's not the most skilled superstar on the team. By definition, most players on a team are not among the very best of that team. Whether these players succeed of fail depends a lot on attitude and teamwork.

Azpilicueta is a great role model for those players. He also seems like a more than decent guy and shows good sportsmanship.

I've praised him alot ever since he's been here but he was all over the place defensively last night. Was at fault beyond doubt for the second goal and could have cleared the first but he never uses his left foot, their first goal was incredibly similar to the city youth teams goal against us in the FA cup a few weeks back. He could have cleared both if he swung his left at the ball but he's let opposition players get ahead of him, hopefully last night was just a very bad game for him. This one footedness restricts his game massively when he plays on the left which I hope we never see him play there again. We need stability at the back and for me that starts with playing players in their proper position, mucking about with him at left back for the past two years without our actual left backs getting any playing time is the main reason we looked so vulnerable there last night. Baba and Kenedy (who also is being played out of position) need to either be trusted or we need to find another left back while Azpilicueta stays on the right

Edited March 10, 201610 yr by jack h

I've praised him alot ever since he's been here but he was all over the place defensively last night. Was at fault beyond doubt for the second goal and could have cleared the first but he never uses his left foot, their first goal was incredibly similar to the city youth teams goal against us in the FA cup a few weeks back. He could have cleared both if he swung his left at the ball but he's let opposition players get ahead of him, hopefully last night was just a very bad game for him. This one footedness restricts his game massively when he plays on the left which I hope we never see him play there again. We need stability at the back and for me that starts with playing players in their proper position, mucking about with him at left back for the past two years without our actual left backs getting any playing time is the main reason we looked so vulnerable there last night. Baba and Kenedy (who also is being played out of position) need to either be trusted or we need to find another left back while Azpilicueta stays on the right

One of the most consistent players in the side, but certainly his worst period of form imo. He got flamed by arnoutovic last week lets not forget.

I've praised him alot ever since he's been here but he was all over the place defensively last night. Was at fault beyond doubt for the second goal and could have cleared the first but he never uses his left foot, their first goal was incredibly similar to the city youth teams goal against us in the FA cup a few weeks back. He could have cleared both if he swung his left at the ball but he's let opposition players get ahead of him, hopefully last night was just a very bad game for him. This one footedness restricts his game massively when he plays on the left which I hope we never see him play there again. We need stability at the back and for me that starts with playing players in their proper position, mucking about with him at left back for the past two years without our actual left backs getting any playing time is the main reason we looked so vulnerable there last night. Baba and Kenedy (who also is being played out of position) need to either be trusted or we need to find another left back while Azpilicueta stays on the right

I think he's been fantastic as a left-back. I dont see it being an issue. I couldnt see the game, but if he was all over the place at Right back then isnt that a case for him to be reverted to left back?

I think he's been fantastic as a left-back. I dont see it being an issue. I couldnt see the game, but if he was all over the place at Right back then isnt that a case for him to be reverted to left back?

I was thinking the same. Probably he feels more comfortable playing Left Back.

I think he's been fantastic as a left-back. I dont see it being an issue. I couldnt see the game, but if he was all over the place at Right back then isnt that a case for him to be reverted to left back?

 

Hes been good defensively at left back the majority of the time, non existent going forwards though, always cuts in and it's part of the problem where our attack break down and we just pass it around the edge of the box.

Bar the other night I think it's always been pretty clear how much better he is at right back, is just as good if not better defensively and can put a cross in and support attacks properly, him consistently playing at right back with a proper left back on the other side will go a long way in my opinion to improving us.

Playing him at left back every now and again when injuries make it necessary is fine but someone as one footed as him playing there pretty much every game for the last two years is crazy.

 

Bar the other night I think it's always been pretty clear how much better he is at right back,

er you're forgetting the stoke game mate. he in my opinion is having his worst season for us which is saying something because overall he hasnt been ivanovic bad, it's just that his standards are usually so high.