Rumoured Luke Shaw

[Barbara 15,149]

A guy like him can benefit from having Mourinho teach him. We can all agree Patrick looks fantastic going forward and I will say this, what I saw from Azpilicueta last year left a lot to be desired, this year he looks WAYYYY better! Same can be said for Cahill.

I'm advocating giving Patrick a summer in the World Cup and a training camp with Jose before we look to spend 20-30m on a left back. I mean its not like we struggled in that position this year with Azpi. Let Jose be the one to evaluate him up close, if he fails to impress there will be other targets to acquire

Azpilicueta still has a lot of trouble attacking. I'm not saying Patrick doesn't have a spot here, I'm saying it's unlikely, he's Bertrand 2.0 imo and until he proves me otherwise, that's what I'll always think of him. It took us long enough to get rid of Bertrand and I hope we get rid of him completely. It seems like not even the Mourinho effect helped him because Mourinho can develop, not create things - and even then he's not able to develop all players under him. So yeah, not holding my breath at all about Patrick

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

And that's my point. Shaw is actually capable of putting in good crosses and looks solid defensively, but it's the composure that he does everything with that sets him apart. That's why I'd have him over Rodriguez even if he costs a bit more. I think Rodriguez would get found out defensively.

Cole is the benchmark.

You're more than welcome to think that and I agree he looks fantastic going forward in the Bundesliga. I just have reservations over his ability to replicate it here.

Shaw has not shown much going forward, lets be honest here. Ricardo has shown much more attacking acumen than Shaw even if he's 3 yrs older. I would agree composure is essential in a footballer and that the quality may go down in a faster paced league but even having said that I believe that even if Ricardo's skill of picking a pass and crossing is somewhat downgraded in the EPL vs BL he will still be ahead of Shaw in those areas.

If Cole is your benchmark I feel you're going to be disappointed.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

This pertains to your comments on Van Aanholt and Rodriguez. Left-backs are first and foremost defenders.

I think Nathan Ake probably has more chance of starting a game at left-back for Chelsea than Van Aanholt does.

Not in this day and age. Most LB's we see today are basically wingers.

Again only time will tell, not claiming to be a know it all like some here just think from what I've seen it wouldn't be a bad idea to recall him and give him a look.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I'm still surprised Bertrand wasn't able to get a chance under Jose. I never liked him going forward but I always felt he was very good defensively and that would be enough for him under Mourinho.

It's not like our fullbacks get forward anyways so Bertrand wouldn't have hurt.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Not in this day and age. Most LB's we see today are basically wingers.

Again only time will tell, not claiming to be a know it all like some here just think from what I've seen it wouldn't be a bad idea to recall him and give him a look.

First and foremost, especially in a Mourinho system, they're defenders. If you can't stop the guy in front of you then you won't make it at the top level - as Van Aanholt will prove.

The thing is the desperation to get Shaw was based on us not really having anyone coming through. If we can get someone like DaSilva then maybe we can look to develop an Ake or a DaSilva or even Aina.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Azpilicueta still has a lot of trouble attacking. I'm not saying Patrick doesn't have a spot here, I'm saying it's unlikely, he's Bertrand 2.0 imo and until he proves me otherwise, that's what I'll always think of him. It took us long enough to get rid of Bertrand and I hope we get rid of him completely. It seems like not even the Mourinho effect helped him because Mourinho can develop, not create things - and even then he's not able to develop all players under him. So yeah, not holding my breath at all about Patrick

I may have thought that way of him too until I saw him play this year, he's improved quite a bit this year. And this Bertrand hate is so misplaced! HE HAD THE BEST LB IN THE BUSINESS AHEAD OF HIM! I think you guys have been spoiled, Bertrand was serviceable, just not Cole.

And I don't understand why people paint every player with the same brush! Is Van Aanholt and Bertrand the same player??? NO so don't evaluate them the same way. What makes Ryan tick and what makes Patrick tick are completely different! Perhaps Ryan comes back from the world cup and is buoyed by the experience and his career kicks on? Perhaps seeing that he doesn't have the best LB in the world to contend with spurs him on to greater things? Its so silly to assume that because one hasn't made it that another can't.

[bababoom 4,478]

I'm still surprised Bertrand wasn't able to get a chance under Jose. I never liked him going forward but I always felt he was very good defensively and that would be enough for him under Mourinho.

It's not like our fullbacks get forward anyways so Bertrand wouldn't have hurt.

Personally for me he was average at both, he gets beat far too easily against pacey/skillful players and going forward he doesn't have the skill to beat players, i never really got the hype with him.

Regarding Shaw, my Avi is gone, so maybe i'll stop jinxing it?

[Nike 373]

I'm surprised that the Shaw saga is taking so long for United, even though they placed a high bid for him...

Unless, LVG doesn't want him and wants to bring in a dutch/german.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Bertrand was serviceable,

Easy with the compliments, you'll make him blush.

And I don't understand why people paint every player with the same brush! Is Van Aanholt and Bertrand the same player???

Good point. Bertrand and Van Aanholt are both unique snowflakes, not good enough for us in their own ways.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

First and foremost, especially in a Mourinho system, they're defenders. If you can't stop the guy in front of you then you won't make it at the top level - as Van Aanholt will prove.

The thing is the desperation to get Shaw was based on us not really having anyone coming through. If we can get someone like DaSilva then maybe we can look to develop an Ake or a DaSilva or even Aina.

Marcelo, Coentrao, Arbeloa?

Aina, Ssewankambo, Wallace, Cuevas? Don't we have Jay Dasilva?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Marcelo, Coentrao, Arbeloa?

Aina, Ssewankambo, Wallace, Cuevas? Don't we have Jay Dasilva?

Ivanovic, Ferreira, Azpi, Cole, Del Horno, Gallas.

I actually meant to say if we could get Luis then we'd have time to develop a young-un like Aina, Ake or DaSilva.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Ivanovic, Ferreira, Azpi, Cole, Del Horno, Gallas.

I actually meant to say if we could get Luis then we'd have time to develop a young-un like Aina, Ake or DaSilva.

Promote from within. We weren't hurting at LB or RB last year. Promote from within and see if anyone can benefit from having Jose train them. Otherwise get the best young back out there in Rodriguez.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Ivanovic, Ferreira, Azpi, Cole, Del Horno, Gallas.

I actually meant to say if we could get Luis then we'd have time to develop a young-un like Aina, Ake or DaSilva.

Actually Ash when he came here was known for his ability going forward - not just defending. He isn't just a defend-first fullback, he's very complete.

Folios Luis is way too old as well, think he's turning 30 this year, plus he isn't even a "defend-first" left back, so it's far better that we either go for someone like Ricardo Rodriguez, who's just as good as Filipe Luis going forward, and defensively but has far bigger scope to improve (especially if Shaw isn't attainable at a reasonable price).

[Pizy 18,858]

I'm surprised that the Shaw saga is taking so long for United, even though they placed a high bid for him...

Unless, LVG doesn't want him and wants to bring in a dutch/german.

Because it's probably already done and dusted and they're just waiting for the right moment to announce it.

[zolayes 14,489]

are we wanting a starting LB or a back up .. Azpi seemed to do a good job last year in keeping Ash benched . So do we sign someone and bench Dave ??

don't talk rotation because Jose doesn't rotate the back 5