David Luiz

[robsblubot 3,595]

As a replacement for Terry? not a chance, it would be Cahill all over again, people hoping he could replace and replicate a prime Terry but with every passing match it becoming painfully clear he will never be more than a squad player.

you are probably right, but I reckon we won't find a fit replacement without incurring into some risk. Ryan, to me, seems to be a bit more aggressive and dominant physically (than Cahill is), which is what JT is; of course Terry is also a better overall player, but that's the difficult part.

Damn! This should've been on JT's thread.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Didier Drogba started as a fullback, Thierry Henry started as a winger.

He's always been better at fullback for me.

And this season he is the form right-back in the league for me. He's been absolutely fantastic and provides so much at set-pieces too, so I simply don't get the arguments that 'he isn't a right-back'.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

And this season he is the form right-back in the league for me. He's been absolutely fantastic and provides so much at set-pieces too, so I simply don't get the arguments that 'he isn't a right-back'.

He has even entered the PFA team of the year when we won the league with Ancelloti as a rightback

[Tomo 21,751]

And this season he is the form right-back in the league for me. He's been absolutely fantastic and provides so much at set-pieces too, so I simply don't get the arguments that 'he isn't a right-back'.

Exactly, he has been playing because he deserves it. I was screaming at the TV when we put him back to CB to accomodate Bosingwa after the double, i know our squad depth was pretty shady, but i would preferred to have stuck Bruma in despite his inexperience or even put Essien at CB, he was that good at RB in the double season.

Also i think Azpi's influence has been overstated, he had a good year for his first season in England, but he is a long way from being as good as some are suggesting he already is.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Subotic and Hummels pretty bad atm, so much so the latter was dropped by Loew.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Also i think Azpi's influence has been overstated, he had a good year for his first season in England, but he is a long way from being as good as some are suggesting he already is.

Last year people were moaning about his crosses, now we need his offensive contribution (despite Ivanovic getting up and down that wing and having no support in front of him most of the time).

All this and we don't seem to have anyone capable of actually reaching these crosses in the box.

[Tomo 21,751]

Subotic and Hummels pretty bad atm, so much so the latter was dropped by Loew.

They missed a trick getting shot of Santana, his pace compensated for that pair's lack off it.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Subotic and Hummels pretty bad atm, so much so the latter was dropped by Loew.

They've been struggling, but much is due to mechanics. For example it's difficult to analyze Arsenal's defenders when more often than not they are offered no protection. This season they've got Flamini back, but last season they had Arteta!? as a sole holding mid... yup poor defenders indeed.

Mertesacker is a fine defender and struggled last season for the reasons I stated. I wish we had made a low-ball bid when he was struggling back then.

huge tangent here... completely OT....

[Tomo 21,751]

Last year people were moaning about his crosses, now we need his offensive contribution (despite Ivanovic getting up and down that wing and having no support in front of him most of the time).

All this and we don't seem to have anyone capable of actually reaching these crosses in the box.

There seems to be some sort of general fetish for the more flashy fullback, apart from running in a straight line Bosingwa was vastly inferior to Ivanovic in every single aspect, yet the forum i was on back in 2010, there was almost widespread calls for Bossy to get his place straight back.

Azpilicueta is clearly head and shoulders above Bosingwa, which is probably why he has got all this hype because we suffered with Bosingwa for so long it almost felt a relieve seeing a competent RB as competition for Ivan.

[Sheva. 5,373]

They've been struggling, but much is due to mechanics. For example it's difficult to analyze Arsenal's defenders when more often than not they are offered no protection. This season they've got Flamini back, but last season they had Arteta!? as a sole holding mid... yup poor defenders indeed.

Mertesacker is a fine defender and struggled last season for the reasons I stated. I wish we had made a low-ball bid when he was struggling back then.

huge tangent here... completely OT....

Fair point considering Gundogan has been out, and they have many more injuries in midfield. But for 2 supposed world-class CB's, they make a lot of mistakes, even against inferior opposition.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Hummels is the most overrated CB in Europe. Subotic is actually the better player.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I think Hummels will be a terrible partner for Luiz. They are very similar, he's basically a worse David Luiz. I think he needs a partner who is physical and aerially dominant like JT. Someone who has the intelligence to cover for him while he anticipates passes and breaks up plays.

[Tomo 21,751]

Hummels is the most overrated CB in Europe. Subotic is actually the better player.

Thankgod, i thought for a while i was the only one who thought Subotic was better.

[Mr Lover Lover 18]

Thankgod, i thought for a while i was the only one who thought Subotic was better.

I'm in agreement as well ......Subotic is the better defender . Recently Mertesacker has replaced him in the NT and rightly so. Boateng who imo has improved tremendously under pep will keep his place in the Nt.

Hummels and Mertesacker will fight for the other position.

[Sidzeret 2,257]