🇪🇸 César Azpilicueta

[Clockwork 1,794]

43 minutes ago, Jason said:

Not saying it's wrong to criticize Azpi this season because he did have a few poor games defensively earlier on in the season. But on a whole, he's been solid and reliable as always and yesterday's performance was certainly a reminder of that. Yet, those Sarri-bots want him out just because he's not an attacking fullback. It's like I said, people don't care about defending anymore ever since Sarri came in. It's all about Sarri-ball and nothing else.

Defense matters just not individual defense, he had a great game but our challenge still remain the same. We are going to need our FBs to create width and stretch the opposition. 

 

[Vesper 30,181]

A WC RW and CF will hopefully open up the right more for Azpi to be more integrated into the offensive flow.

Along with LB those are our 3 most glaring personnel issues, when Luiz puts on his good head like yesterday and plays to WC level.

[Jase 43,479]

2 hours ago, Clockwork said:

Defense matters just not individual defense, he had a great game but our challenge still remain the same. We are going to need our FBs to create width and stretch the opposition. 

Sure but relying exclusively on our full backs to create width is not the wisest of tactics, is it? The wingers have to do that as well, arguably more than the full backs, and while he isn't the most explosive of full backs, I don't think Azpi's attacking play is generally bad - though not perfect at it, he has gotten forward whenever we get our attacks right and he's got decent pace. If anything, it's his final pass that lets him down. 

[BlueLyon 9,359]

4 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Wasnt 100% this season? Based on what? The guys been defensively solid enough all season, what match has he really struggled in? And the game against City only back to his reliable self? That was easily one of the best performances hes put in while being here, he played better than "reliable", he won 9 out of 13 tackles, however many cruical blocks and interceptions... he played out of his skin I thought.

Hes always a 7/10 guy, always very very solid, leads by example, always puts a lot of effort in but that City game was easily a 9/10 and potential MOTM, which went to another defender, David Luiz. How many other full backs can say they have had a performance that good against Man City who have Leroy Sane at LW?

 

Second point I fully agree.

For me, Azpi was PL best 1v1 defender for a couple seasons now. Be it on flanks or in 3 CB system. 

This year, he just wasnt that great in defending. Got exploited more times than usual. His offensive, I dont even care much at all, he was never excellent there, and I knew he would have some difficulites under Sarri. But his defensive level also dropped compared to previous seasons. 

He wasnt shit at all though. Its just that his level is so high, that when he plays okayish, thats not good enough because he can be much better. Same with Hazard. He doesnt play bad at all, but for his standards he is underperforming. 

Thats why both Eden and Azpi deserved some criticism lately. 

City game, he was just crazy good and that was level he was showing in number of games previous seasons, I was always impressed. Yesterday he shown that top quality again for the first time so far in current season IMO. He is world class defender after all. 

Thats what I meant by being back to his old reliable self. 

Same can be said about Kante, he was shaky in first half, but absolute boss in second half. Normaly, both will have to adjust to new Sarri system, but if they play like they did yesterday, we absolutely dont need any upgrade on them anytime soon. On side note, Kante (while I believe he will show his worth under Sarri) is quite wasted in his new role, but if he plays like yesterday, he is pure class. Even if we forget his goal, he was great in breaking their play and set up some dangerous attacks himself. 

[BlueLyon 9,359]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

Sure but relying exclusively on our full backs to create width is not the wisest of tactics, is it? The wingers have to do that as well, arguably more than the full backs, and while he isn't the most explosive of full backs, I don't think Azpi's attacking play is generally bad - though not perfect at it, he has gotten forward whenever we get our attacks right and he's got decent pace. If anything, it's his final pass that lets him down. 

As long we have one top fullback going forward, we can have the other one more defensive minded. Right now, Alonso and Azpi just arent a threat going forward and they arent very fast either. Imagine lets say Marcelo on left, its completely cool to have Azpi on right though.

That said, our RW has to improve, because right flank just isnt cutting it at the moment.

[Unionjack 7,531]

After reading all thats been said about Dave both on here and elsewhere it sounds like he has split our fans down the middle this season.

From what I can put together he hasn't been himself  defensively which I find very strange as he has to me always been Mr Reliable. Ive never thought of him that much going forward but always liked the idea of having him able to find a big target head in the box from distance. But seens thats been missing too.

Dave to me is a defender and thats not bad as he offers great support to the CBs. But that does mean we have to utilize the LB and right now Alonso just isn't doing it is he. I really did expect Emerson to step up after his great start last season and he has shown glimpses that hes still capable. But not sure capable is emough for us right now. We need more.

We are lacking proper leaders in the team and with Cahill,Cescy off means losing even more good footballing heads nut watching Dave against Shitty warmed my heart towards him after reading so much negativity but I love the guy and so want him to prove his doubters wrong.

[Vesper 30,181]

8 hours ago, Unionjack said:

After reading all thats been said about Dave both on here and elsewhere it sounds like he has split our fans down the middle this season.

From what I can put together he hasn't been himself  defensively which I find very strange as he has to me always been Mr Reliable. Ive never thought of him that much going forward but always liked the idea of having him able to find a big target head in the box from distance. But seens thats been missing too.

Dave to me is a defender and thats not bad as he offers great support to the CBs. But that does mean we have to utilize the LB and right now Alonso just isn't doing it is he. I really did expect Emerson to step up after his great start last season and he has shown glimpses that hes still capable. But not sure capable is emough for us right now. We need more.

We are lacking proper leaders in the team and with Cahill,Cescy off means losing even more good footballing heads nut watching Dave against Shitty warmed my heart towards him after reading so much negativity but I love the guy and so want him to prove his doubters wrong.

I think the huge amounts of minutes played over last 8 years (especially the last 3 and half, where he is averaging way over 4000 minutes per year) are catching up with him. He turns 30 in 8 months, and we all not Vesper's maxim about 30yo and above fullbacks, Look at Marcelo. Hit 30yo and BOOM, has had a huge drop off. Same for DMF's. The only 2 exceptions for ageing FB's and DMF's are both, ironically, Brasilians (who,as a group are the ones who REALLY go downhill fast when the fall comes) Dani Alves and Fernandinho.

[Unionjack 7,531]

2 hours ago, Vesper said:

I think the huge amounts of minutes played over last 8 years (especially the last 3 and half, where he is averaging way over 4000 minutes per year) are catching up with him. He turns 30 in 8 months, and we all not Vesper's maxim about 30yo and above fullbacks, Look at Marcelo. Hit 30yo and BOOM, has had a huge drop off. Same for DMF's. The only 2 exceptions for ageing B and DMF's are both, ironically, Brasilians (who,as a group are the ones who REALLY go downhill fast when the fall comes) Dani Alves and Fernandinho.

In general I do agree about the 30+ contracts but theres always some phenom that breaks the mold eh.

Daves not the fastest nor the best passer but for at least now its his head,defending and leadership we need .

Let him stay with the CBs till really needed. Get a faster LB/LWB we can send up n down and cover the LAM/LW (whoever it may be)

How I see it anyway.

 

[Unionjack 7,531]

 

 

I watched Tottenham and Liverpool in the Champions League this week and wished it was us! Cesar Azpilicueta on why Chelsea have to return to the top

Cesar Azpilicueta says Chelsea's 'sheer will to win' helped them beat Man City

The current stand-in skipper also claims to have learned a lot from past captains

And the Spanish defender admits he is missing playing in the Champions League

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6497329/Chelsea-defender-Cesar-Azpilicueta-admits-misses-Champions-League.html

[Vesper 30,181]

15 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

 

 

I watched Tottenham and Liverpool in the Champions League this week and wished it was us! Cesar Azpilicueta on why Chelsea have to return to the top

Cesar Azpilicueta says Chelsea's 'sheer will to win' helped them beat Man City

The current stand-in skipper also claims to have learned a lot from past captains

And the Spanish defender admits he is missing playing in the Champions League

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6497329/Chelsea-defender-Cesar-Azpilicueta-admits-misses-Champions-League.html

I would love to know what he really thinks of Luiz, and especially Alonso, Morata, and Willian, lolol.

[Unionjack 7,531]

4 minutes ago, Vesper said:

I would love to know what he really thinks of Luiz, and especially Alonso, Morata, and Willian, lolol.

Hes a 'good guy' so I would think he likes them all and would say they are great and we need to support them blah blah

[Vesper 30,181]

Just now, Unionjack said:

Hes a 'good guy' so I would think he likes them all and would say they are great and we need to support them blah blah

I know he would say that publicly, I meant what he actually thinks (in private, in his own mind).

[Unionjack 7,531]

Just now, Vesper said:

I know he would say that publicly, I meant what he actually thinks (in private, in his own mind).

I'd really love to do a Watergate on the Bridge, Sarris office, changing room etc planting some bugs around the place/

[Vesper 30,181]

3 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

I'd really love to do a Watergate on the Bridge, Sarris office, changing room etc planting some bugs around the place/

[Unionjack 7,531]

16 minutes ago, Vesper said:

I'm a real conspiracist Try saying that with my head!

We could hire one of those ijits that break into clubs at night to do selfie movies to plant a few. A couple in the boardroom would be the most interesting.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Cesar Azpilicueta believes Chelsea's signing of Christian Pulisic serves as a warning to the squad that the club can easily replace them if they don't perform.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea/chelsea-christian-pulisic-signing-serves-as-a-warning-to-blues-squad-says-cesar-azpilicueta-a4029746.html

[Special Juan 28,141]

This guy is one of the most one dimensional players you will ever see, we need to upgrade him as much as we need to upgrade the useless cunt on the other side.

He can't cross for shit, he still looks for that fucking stupid Morata cross that worked for 2 games earlier last season and he offers fuck all going forward.

 

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

8 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

This guy is one of the most one dimensional players you will ever see, we need to upgrade him as much as we need to upgrade the useless cunt on the other side.

He can't cross for shit, he still looks for that fucking stupid Morata cross that worked for 2 games earlier last season and he offers fuck all going forward.

 

at least he can tackle and does not fall over at every 1 on 1. 

[Special Juan 28,141]

10 hours ago, Magic Lamps said:

at least he can tackle and does not fall over at every 1 on 1. 

Papering over cracks, simply not good enough if we are to move up a level, both full backs need changing.

[Unionjack 7,531]

3 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

Papering over cracks, simply not good enough if we are to move up a level, both full backs need changing.

I wouldn't mind putting him back as CB if necessary.