CurlyHairLikeLuiz

That's because Spain use wingbacks rather than traditional fullbacks like Azpi, while Mourinho prefers a more traditional system is free winger defensive fb unless his winger isn't creative enough and/or cannot or does not service the box effectively see Willian and Ivanovic.

Depends what you're looking for in an LB. If a traditional fullback, Azpi all the way. If your wingers are sub par and the fullback is supposed to be a wing back in effect, then no. But Azpi for us is perfect.

This sounds so good.

I actually wrote that and changed my mind xD

Then that's simply a class deficiency, you should at least appreciate him for all the amazing things he has brought this club for the last 11 years. He may be a gooner but he's given everything to us and I simply can't accept this bullshit.

Make it happen, Jose.

Good luck Petr (but not too much, obviously), you'll be fondly remembered by all of us. Enjoy your retirement

yep. We actually bought him as a replacement to Frank - he's a box to box player by trade, but at Elche he has spent most of his play time on his defensive game in the Maka role. Ideal partner for Matic personally, he has everything in the locker. Everything Mou would want. To play holding midfield in a top flight team at 19/20 years old is a brilliant feat. And he can be like Cesc. I think and hope he takes his opportunity to impress Mou during pre season. He could be perfect for us.

But he's not even that good!

Yeah, but he should be. Great player. If he was English he would probably be playing ahead of Ramires and Mikel.

Pasalic please, his natural position is a no 8 but he played holding midfield at the age of 20 for the whole season at Elche and I certainly think he's ready. I'm a huge fan of his and he's ready imo. It'll also save us a lot of money. He was probably our most successful loan this year, and it's not like he was a bit part player. He played 35 games. It's not the best compilation ever but they aren't very common for defensive midfielders. He's proactive and he kind of reminds me of Matic. He's number 24. 2 footed. Got a good set piece in him too, and Cesc-y levels of passing range.

You need experience in defence. Azpi-Zouma-Varane-Luis for me would not have the required levels of experience. Plus I think Mou plays Azpi on the left to lock down that flank to relieve Hazard of his defensive duties. If we were to get someone like, say, Reus, I'd say we'd be the first team in many years to use proper fullbacks and Ivanovic has shown he can defend too. He is instructed to press up due to the offensive deficiencies of Willian on the wing. That way the attackers are more free to attack because the defenders only come up for corners. Accompanied with a likely shift to 4-3-3 to accomodate RLC later in his development ie in one or two seasons' time, it will be one of the most disciplined teams we've seen. Of course, both fullbacks do have that attacking element in the locker, if needed. Oh, and the final step would be that when Terry retires we go more high line, Matic sits in front of the centre backs, RLC recycles possession (he has good distribution), Reus and Cesc create, Hazard drives the ball forward and Costa is the killer. Reus cuts in and Cesc is that creator who alternates from the centre to the left side. But I'd expect the real shape, accomodating a true RW like Reus or what have you would be - (goal) Courtois Zouma Terry Ivanovic Azpi --- Matic --- RLC Cesc Reus Costa Hazard By the way, regarding Terry. As a striker most of the time you need pace, but with a CB you don't, and that's why as long as he can distribute and tackle effectively he is well worth keeping, and his leadership skills take the team to a whole other level, which is why Cahill will never be able to be the senior centre back and in the end Ivanovic will probably parent Zouma.

I still won't believe we're loaning Falcao until it gets confirmed. I don't see Mourinho making such a horrible error of judgement, especially if it's at the expense of Remy.

Do you reckon he will get playing time there?

How did he do this year?

Christensen is being loaned? I hope he gets a good team. Fantastic player.

Zouma over time will probably start to take more of a share of games from Cahill. Oscar on the other hand I still trust to continue to develop over the next season and really hold down his place. I expect him to improve, especially as he has had a full pre season, and if he doesn't then I think Mou will find somebody else.

How do the other leagues incentivise youth development so much?

Tbh all we need for next season to go further in all competitions are bench boys that you can rest our starting lineup with and have legit confidence we won't be vulnerable. A proper RW would be nice but I don't see it happening and it's not essential anyway. Schweinsteiger and a Mikel replacement would be good. Imbula, somebody like that. Or maybe Zouma can do the job with more practice.

I honestly hope it works out for him.

I honestly hope it works out for him.

No thanks to the loan. He won't be played without clauses in his loan contract - and if that does not happens he may as well stay here.

No worries. All this crap makes you appreciate the true legends - Jt for us. S. Gerrard for pool. Etc Etc Cech will always be appreciated by the fans, though - that much should be asserted, after all he's done for the club. If he doesn't go to Arsenal...I think he moves into that legends bracket.

Assist for RLC, at least.

And having a shit manager who leaves his best players on the bench?