🇪🇸 César Azpilicueta

[The Skipper 20,609]

On 23/10/2017 at 0:12 AM, Jason said:

Could be soon if we don't extend Cahill's contract!

When does his contract end? 

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

31 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

When does his contract end? 

At the end of the 18-19 Season.

[The Skipper 20,609]

58 minutes ago, NiclasCFC said:

At the end of the 18-19 Season.

Hope that means he’s definitely a big part squad player in his last season. 

[Jase 43,479]

7 hours ago, The Skipper said:

Hope that means he’s definitely a big part squad player in his last season. 

Looking back, it's kinda laughable that Cahill made a fuss about not being guaranteed first team action 2-3 years ago and we went on to give him a contract extension.

His continuous inclusion in the starting XI really continues to baffle. What does he offer that Rudiger and Christensen don't? The latter two may be relatively new to the team and Premier League but I would rather them play in the XI, make mistakes and learn from them than someone who continues to make mistakes and not learn or can't seem to improve his game. In fact, how much has Cahill actually improved since joining us? It feels like it has been nothing more than constant average-ness throughout these 5 1/2 years. Mentioned this before, for a manager who likes his team to defend properly and play out from the black, Conte sure has a "strange" preference with Cahill. Is it because he's the captain? Can't defend properly unless it's back to the walls stuff and can't play out from the back either. Opponents tend to have it easy in shutting down his passing options - cut out his option to Alonso and make him pass across the back. They are taking advantage of the fact that Cahill doesn't even take some risk with his passing. Have noticed a couple of times this season when opponents press us, there's space in midfield with one of our players occupying it and he could have easily passed into him to bypass the press and yet he's never done it. How did he even become captain in the first place? Never mind his performances, he doesn't even seem to have that authority or assurance of a leader when he speaks. It's not easy to speak to a big crowd but I remember him getting nervous addressing the fans during the title celebrations in May. Stark contrast to when Terry was speaking. Honestly, the board need slapping if they even dare think of offering him another contract extension.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

4 hours ago, Jason said:

Looking back, it's kinda laughable that Cahill made a fuss about not being guaranteed first team action 2-3 years ago and we went on to give him a contract extension.

His continuous inclusion in the starting XI really continues to baffle. What does he offer that Rudiger and Christensen don't? The latter two may be relatively new to the team and Premier League but I would rather them play in the XI, make mistakes and learn from them than someone who continues to make mistakes and not learn or can't seem to improve his game. In fact, how much has Cahill actually improved since joining us? It feels like it has been nothing more than constant average-ness throughout these 5 1/2 years. Mentioned this before, for a manager who likes his team to defend properly and play out from the black, Conte sure has a "strange" preference with Cahill. Is it because he's the captain? Can't defend properly unless it's back to the walls stuff and can't play out from the back either. Opponents tend to have it easy in shutting down his passing options - cut out his option to Alonso and make him pass across the back. They are taking advantage of the fact that Cahill doesn't even take some risk with his passing. Have noticed a couple of times this season when opponents press us, there's space in midfield with one of our players occupying it and he could have easily passed into him to bypass the press and yet he's never done it. How did he even become captain in the first place? Never mind his performances, he doesn't even seem to have that authority or assurance of a leader when he speaks. It's not easy to speak to a big crowd but I remember him getting nervous addressing the fans during the title celebrations in May. Stark contrast to when Terry was speaking. Honestly, the board need slapping if they even dare think of offering him another contract extension.

Yeah I hope that if they do give him a contract it’s a more reduced role.

I think though to say he’s not evolved or improved as a player here is harsh, he had a baptism of fire against Napoli with Luiz under AVB and his back 2 (probably was considering the full backs were about 50m out of position every time 😂) but honestly I think when we played a back 4 over the years until that disaster season after winning the title he was deservedly starting, he was usually always preferred by Di Matteo, Benitez, Mourinho and Hiddink ahead of David Luiz (the rash as fuck younger one, well maybe he still can be but suppose we’re nowhere near as much exposed with a back 3 as we were at times with a back 4 😂) and others in central defence.

I think GCs lost a yard of two of pace and it’s showing as well as the fact he’s starting to be targeted a bit more by teams or has been the last two seasons which has made him panicky, also you’ve mentioned regarding the lack of ambition with the ball at times (think being right footed on left not completely helpful, was same with Azpi at LB in the past too) but I agree, the wide CBs really need to be able to step up and play a bit more maybe be a bit riskier with it. I hate to say it but I really think Spurs with (can’t remember who’s exactly where) Sanchez/Dier/Alderwereild on the right and Vertonghen on the left are perfect examples when they play a back 3. Like you’ve said if GC can’t go to Alonso he goes safe, which not always bad but not always good either, where as his Spurs counterpart JV is very comfortable at playing a grounded pass through the lines into the feet of an Alli/Kane/Eriksen at times or travelling with the ball into the space, I just don’t see that with GC, although there’s also the chance such a pass isn’t on as nobody’s made themselves available at times. 

I hope we look to invest in a good left footed CB who can play a bit more for that role next season (as I was hoping for in the summer window just past in all honestly) because it would help building from the back. Also if he’s a bit calmer when defending too at times, would be helpful.

Although all in all with that being said, some of the criticism of him has been OTT. Like Brana, Willian, Mikel, whoever else has gotten it tough few years. Also maybe post better suited for GC thread. 😂

Azpi is class though hope he retires here. 

[Jase 43,479]

4 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Yeah I hope that if they do give him a contract it’s a more reduced role.

He'll be lucky to get one considering the same fellas were reluctant to give Lampard and Terry one previously.

4 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

I think though to say he’s not evolved or improved as a player here is harsh

Maybe but do tell what has he improved? Which part of his game has he genuinely improved? Saying he was preferred by manager X, Y, Z doesn't say much when we didn't have many options before.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

18 hours ago, Jason said:

He'll be lucky to get one considering the same fellas were reluctant to give Lampard and Terry one previously.

Maybe but do tell what has he improved? Which part of his game has he genuinely improved? Saying he was preferred by manager X, Y, Z doesn't say much when we didn't have many options before.

He definitely looked a lot better on the ball here than at Bolton and also seemed to read the play slightly better. I think on a whole he improved because of the fact playing in Europe as well against higher standards of teams as well as competing with the higher standards of players that were at the club in comparison to Bolton. He was in the PL team of the year for two or three seasons running as well I’m sure so surely he had to have improved (system maybe suited him better under Jose too, two sitting MF players offering protection with a narrow back 4 was a common thing). 

It’s fair to say now maybe he struggles on that left side because teams isolate him yes but when he played in a back 4 on the right side he was more than capable of distributing the ball sure he wasn’t doing anything particularly amazing because he was in a team that most games would have the majority of the ball, although like I mentioned about wide CB in a back 3 they have to be more progressive with the ball and play more in the opposition half at times than a CB in a back 4 (or most of the time). To be honest I think he does need to be taken out the first 11 for a while. Or maybe redeployed to the right side of the back 3 is Azpi ever missed a match, maybe be more comfortable there but still not a excuse for piss poor performances we’ve seen at times.

Also if he gets a renewal it will be the standard one year but I don’t think Conte is afraid to phase guys out, he literally played Terry in a few games at the start last season then took him out and he rarely ever played bar cup matches.

[Jase 43,479]

6 wins out of 6 and counting as captain...

W 4-2 Spurs

W 2-1 Spurs

W 2-0 Everton

W 2-1 Leicester

W 4-0 Stoke

W 1-0 Bournemouth

[LAM09 7,056]

Led by example. I needn't say more

[Beigl 1,387]

He is a great player..

[Kajo 176]

I think it's obvious for everyone that Dave should be appointed a captain in the near future.

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[Jase 43,479]

 

[Milan 17,957]

Cesar Azpilicueta has assisted Morata five times in the Premier League this season, more than any player has assisted another in 2017-18 so far.

[LAM09 7,056]

Should never be moved from RCB. Always seems to deliver

[the wes 7,212]

 

[manpe 10,861]

Azpi is Eriksen-level dangerous in that position, always seems to be accurate from there.

[Jase 43,479]

3 minutes ago, manpe said:

Azpi is Eriksen-level dangerous in that position, always seems to be accurate from there.

Have to say though, United's defending for the goal was laughable. Smalling got pulled away by Bakayoko's run, which I guess it's normal to track a runner but Jones stepped out and did nothing while Bailly was caught ball watching.

[Stats 7,142]

3 hours ago, milan.cech said:

Cesar Azpilicueta has assisted Morata five times in the Premier League this season, more than any player has assisted another in 2017-18 so far.

That should so be 6. Azpi played a pin-point cross for Morata aginst Spurs which Morata somehow managed to miss. Was a brilliant ball. Anyway, I am sure there will be more. Amazing to think that majority of these assists are coming while Azpi is playing at RCB.

[Leif 6,006]

I'd love to know the current record amount of assists provided by a centre-back in 1 season.

[the wes 7,212]