On 06/05/2018 at 23:14, RIP Mourinho said:

Pretty much purely for his goals. We've been over this already on the thread. Defensively poor this year. 

But that's your opinion. 

In the opinion of his follow professionals he's been the best left back in the league this season and I don't think they'd judge players based purely on the number of goals they have scored. 

I don't think he's been particularly poor defensively this season.

He's had some bad games, no question and we would undoubtedly have benefited from having had a fully fit Emerson from the begging of the season to allow better rotation. That said, I think he's still been one of our best performers again this season and I would expect him to continue to be first choice going into next season whoever is in charge. 

2 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

But that's your opinion. 

In the opinion of his follow professionals he's been the best left back in the league this season and I don't think they'd judge players based purely on the number of goals they have scored. 

I don't think he's been particularly poor defensively this season.

He's had some bad games, no question and we would undoubtedly have benefited from having had a fully fit Emerson from the begging of the season to allow better rotation. That said, I think he's still been one of our best performers again this season and I would expect him to continue to be first choice going into next season whoever is in charge. 

I do think fellow professionals would, the goals is going to be the biggest thing he is remembered for and sticks in people's minds. I can't see fellow professionals watching every Chelsea game and seeing his all round game. 

4 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

I do think fellow professionals would, the goals is going to be the biggest thing he is remembered for and sticks in people's minds. I can't see fellow professionals watching every Chelsea game and seeing his all round game. 

They absolutely do, as well as the press. Victor Moses gets no praise for his defensive work, Azpi only ever got praise from Gary Neville on MNF I think when asked who is the best defender in the league, until this season when he starts assisting loads the spotlight is on him and when the assists stops so does the praise.

6 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

I do think fellow professionals would, the goals is going to be the biggest thing he is remembered for and sticks in people's minds. I can't see fellow professionals watching every Chelsea game and seeing his all round game. 

So on what basis are the other three defenders voted in for? 

Kyle Walker hasn't scored any goals for City this season but was voted into the team of the year. 

I'm not denying that Alonso's attacking threat isn't a part of the reason but to boil down his inclusion to goal scoring is reductive of what he is capable of as a player. 

4 minutes ago, sonic90 said:

They absolutely do, as well as the press. Victor Moses gets no praise for his defensive work, Azpi only ever got praise from Gary Neville on MNF I think when asked who is the best defender in the league, until this season when he starts assisting loads the spotlight is on him and when the assists stops so does the praise.

I actually think Moses is a better wingback than Alonso, the main difference is when they get near the opposition box but all round Moses is better.

1 minute ago, ForeverCarefree said:

So on what basis are the other three defenders voted in for? 

Kyle Walker hasn't scored any goals for City this season but was voted into the team of the year. 

I'm not denying that Alonso's attacking threat isn't a part of the reason but to boil down his inclusion to goal scoring is reductive of what he is capable of as a player. 

Walker bombs forward all game, he got voted in rightly because he can defend and attack, his had a great all round season.

1 minute ago, Ernie_blue said:

I actually think Moses is a better wingback than Alonso, the main difference is when they get near the opposition box but all round Moses is better.

Yeah Moses is nigh on perfect, it's really just his decision making in the final third and the quality of his crossing. If he had those tools plus a bit more consistency he'd be bordering on world class for his position in my opinion.

20 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

So on what basis are the other three defenders voted in for? 

Kyle Walker hasn't scored any goals for City this season but was voted into the team of the year. 

I'm not denying that Alonso's attacking threat isn't a part of the reason but to boil down his inclusion to goal scoring is reductive of what he is capable of as a player. 

Imo Alonso was voted in because

1) his attacking threat

2) solid but not spectacular defending

3) poor standard of LBs in the prem

1 hour ago, Radford10 said:

Imo Alonso was voted in because

1) his attacking threat

2) solid but not spectacular defending

3) poor standard of LBs in the prem

The main reason.

Personally think A.Young, B.Davies and F.Delph have all been better. Which says a lot. 

On 08/05/2018 at 12:51, sonic90 said:

Yeah Moses is nigh on perfect, it's really just his decision making in the final third and the quality of his crossing. If he had those tools plus a bit more consistency he'd be bordering on world class for his position in my opinion.

Is it just me or has he improved a little in that area recently? Last four or five games, he seems to be putting in balls with more purpose and accuracy.

Some more Barcelona rumours. 

If a suitably big offer comes in... I have a feeling all parties would be quietly satisfied about it going through. 

It's clear Chelsea were always looking for someone else with all the Sandro rumours... Barcelona apparently see him as a good option for centre back. 

Alonso would be returning to his native Spain with one of the la liga giants...

 

MA is working those keepers to death during the pre-season

 

He'll do fine under Sarri. Not the quickest, but he combines well down the left and his height and free kicks are a huge asset.

I think he will be second choice behind Emerson.

Looks very scared defending in a high line. Emerson looked the more comfortable full back when he came on. 

His lack of pace could be our undoing.

Remember when teams targeted and got behind Branna in Mourinho's car crash season?

4 hours ago, BordeauxBlue said:

His lack of pace could be our undoing.

Remember when teams targeted and got behind Branna in Mourinho's car crash season?

Was thinking this earlier, Branna was very solid defensively, but during his decline his goals covered up his defnsive errors, could be the same with Alonso. Worrying thing is I don’t think Emerson is that great defensively either, both more suited as back up.

Edited July 23, 20187 yr by Floyd25

Stick him up front. Problem solved.

I dont like Alonso, and i think that he has shown this pre season that the CLEARLY doesn´t fit this system, his lack of pace has been a really big issue so far

I like the bloke but i agree that his pace, or lack of, is a real issue. Lost count of the amount of times a player just ran past him yesterday. 

Thats why Emerson should start the season.

He hasn't looked great at all this pre-season, I think it's fair to say this system does not suit him. 

I'm hoping he can adapt because he seems like that type of player. 

Emerson, I would have thought, will be the preferred choice as starter. Alonso's doesn't seem to be positionally aware enough, and his pace doesn't help either. He doesn't overlap when the wide forward has the ball, instead he runs inside of the LW rather than overlap down the wing, unlike Emerson. The problem is, Emerson hasn't had anywhere near enough time with the first team over the last season, so he needs to play regularly. 

I actually am a fan of this guy...but he doesn't suit this system at all and will be left struggling. He isn't a guy you want in a high line back 4. 

Sadly, those who think Emerson is some sort of speed merchant who will do better are in for a shock.

We're either going to have to change the system to accommodate the players we have (move to a deeper line, or have a more defensive pivot whose job it is to help out FBs, or back to the back three, I don't know), buy a replacement (in a position we have spent over £60m on in the last 3 years) or look for an out of the box solution (maybe Azpi back at LB and Christensen at RB...or someone from the youth team getting promoted...again, I don't know). 

The two LBs in the first team squad right now do have great qualities, but they are not right for the system Sarri is trying to get us to play at the moment. IMO. 

Azpilicueta left back, and Moses or Zappacosta right back. Problem solved.

Emerson should be good enough anyway