Should Filipe Luis Stay or Go?

[James 5,138]

There has been talk in recent weeks that Filipe Luis could be offloaded by Chelsea this summer after the Brazilian saw limited action in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

The left-back was one of five big money signings made by Jose Mourinho last season, with the 29-year-old costing £15.8 million from 2013-14 Spanish La Liga champions Atletico Madrid. While he wasn't the type of signing to make you go out and book home and away tickets for all Chelsea games for the season, he was expected to have a much bigger impact on the team and provide a dependable, quality option at the back.

Filipe Luis made only nine starts in the league, although he did make a further six substitute appearances, as well as starting five of Chelsea's eight Champions League matches, starting one of their two FA Cup matches and five of their six on the way to glory in the League Cup.

However, the Brazilian international didn't look like displacing Cesar Azpilicueta anytime soon for the starting full-back role. The Spanish international, four years his younger was one of the top left-backs in the country over the past season.

Luis' appearances were often to give Azpilicueta a rest, or simply Mourinho rotating his squad in the cup.

His win record in the league was only better than Ruben Loftus-Cheek (0 wins in 2 starts) as Luis was involved in only four wins in his nine Premier League matches as a starter.

Chelsea don't have too many options at full-back, so if the Premier League champions are to let Filipe Luis leave over the summer, a player will have to join the club first. Toby Alderweireld has been linked over the weekend after a solid season on loan at Southampton.

The Belgian spent most of the season on the south coast at centre-back before filling in at holding midfield towards the end. Currently owned by Atletico Madrid, he has some experience in both full-back roles.

Ryan Bertrand left permanently in the January transfer window, going on to be named as the PFA Team of the Year left-back, alongside three Chelsea defenders.

20-year-old Cristian Cuevas spent the past season on loan at Universidad de Chile, whilst it would be big surprise to see highly-rated 17-year-old Jay Dasilva in the first-team squad next season.

Filipe Luis will also have a busy June as he is at the Copa America representing Brazil – meaning any transfer may have to wait until July or August. In all likelihood, there is a good chance he will remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2015-16 season.

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[lucio 5,367]

Ideally not. Would help a potential falcao settle , and he did look very good at times. But if we could land baba , Rodriguez , gaya , then maybe let him go.

[supporter 3,088]

Filipe should stay with us. In fact, to me he should have had more appearances in our starting eleven this season.

Taking only Ivanovic and Azpi as our only options is impossible to fight in four competitions.

I do not want to have Toby Alderweireld as backup. I'd rather have Filipe and Ivanovic as emergency solution for our Centre-back.

Regards.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

He has a very FIFA Streetish style for a left back and I really like that about him. His link up plays on the left has been enjoyable to watch but if he's not getting match time then I believe he would definitely want to leave.

However if he is fine with a second option role then we shouldn't sell him.

[Viper22 2,418]

Depends on him. If he wants to leave then by all means he can, I would be ok with us signing Aldeweireld instead.

But ideally i'd prefer to keep him here as LB cover (& RB cover as Azpi can move over there).

[CeleryFC 373]

Should he cool it or should he blow?

I think he's good cover, but its probably better for him to leave. Other than injury I can't see Azpi losing that spot.

[Special Juan 27,092]

It was a stupid buy if the out look was to play Brana right and Azpi LB from the off. Players of his quality, and he is very, very good that aren't being played shouldn't be benched. He was superb for Atleti and he deserves better than what football he has seen so far this season.

I'd personally have him LB and Azpi RB and see Brana benched.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ideally not. Would help a potential falcao settle , and he did look very good at times. But if we could land baba , Rodriguez , gaya , then maybe let him go.

So now we're saying that the bad signing that we should not have made last season must stay because of the terrible signing we are going to make this season?! :confused:

He's a decent player, capable of being excellent in the right team/league, but it's probably best for both him and the club if he leaves.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,447]

he`s good enough for this league,he`s good enough for CFC..he simply has a better player ahead of him. it only became a bad buy because we didn`t have injuries to our starting fullbacks. much like paying insurance on a car is regretted if we don`t have a bump in it. if Dave or Bran had broke their leg, signing him would have been seen as a good buy. much like Zhirkov was when we lost Ashley for a few months during our last Prem winning season.

[Essien19 1,415]

He can be our new Paulo Ferreira, but I am not sure, if he is happy on the bench... :confused:
He gets the job done: top class backup! I don't want him to leave...

[lucio 5,367]

So now we're saying that the bad signing that we should not have made last season must stay because of the terrible signing we are going to make this season?! :confused:

He's a decent player, capable of being excellent in the right team/league, but it's probably best for both him and the club if he leaves.

That's just one potential reason. I think he has alot left to offer , regardless of falcao.

[Unionjack 7,531]

I just dont think Mou trusts him enough.

Theres been alot of chances for us to give him time and do some swapping and changing. Id have liked to seen a Filipe/JT/Zouma/Dave lineup. But the old saying no smoke without fire and the gossip has gone on along time now.

I do think he was a wrong buy even tho hes not a bad player. For his age he was too much money. It would be great for us (and Filipe) IF Athleti DID want him back. We could use him as part ex for Griezemann.

Doesnt transfer season send ya bonkers?

[nadavTKL 1,787]

I hope not, it would mean we have to bring another LB instead, and there are enough positions we need players to come in - GK, CB, ST, RW, CM. With LB its six players, cant see us getting six in one summer.

Drogba and Cech wont be here, while Cuadrado, Mikel and Luis situations arent clear, i dont think all 3 could leave.

[kmk108 1,186]

I'd personally have him LB and Azpi RB and see Brana benched.

Without Ivanovic, I'm not sure we're champions.

[Mechromancer 262]

Yeah, and, at this point, you don't gonna get too much money in a transfer.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

He should leave for his own sake. Part of me think Bertrand say something yesterday because he sees what happened with Luis last season. Bertrand could easily play Luis role last season without damaging our chance to win titles.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Without Ivanovic, I'm not sure we're champions.

While I dont mind Bane roaming forward I think he needs a reminder at times hes a defender. Hes not the fastest and he gets lost to where he is sometimes and has to scramble back. We have a weakspot IMO between him and Cahill who also hasnt been himself for alot of this season and has looked very thin,weak and pale (just as Schurrle did). With JT more than likely being his last season and Cahill/Bane at the yearly contract age its time to look at upgrades. HOPEFULLY baring these ridiculous transfer rumours we got Zouma for Cahill (who Id swap now) And my dream is teaming him and Varane. (yes I know - very difficult, But its MY dream ) Which leaves either a LB or RB seeing as Filipe wont be here.

But it is time for a change if we are going to build a team to be together for years and compete in Europe,

[TheIceMan 596]

Go, let AKE get a chance to play second LB!