🇪🇸 César Azpilicueta

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, LAM09 said:

During his best years, he wasn't asked to fly forward so different parts of his game weren't exposed (crossing being the biggest one).

It's been a different story since Conte left and we're see the obvious flaws he's had from day one. People can't expect him to be "tactically aware" on the overlap.

I meant his tactical awareness from a defensive point of view. We knew from the start that attacking isn't his biggest strength. 

[LAM09 7,056]

I meant his tactical awareness from a defensive point of view. We knew from the start that attacking isn't his biggest strength. 

I'm aware of that. His lack of pace is exploited in such scenarios. 

 

Go chasing against Utd with him upfront failing to beat the first man and then, he's nowhere to be seen defensively. He can't excel at both parts of the game (maybe neither at this point).

 

As I previously said, CB or bust for him at this point.

[Vesper 30,182]

45 minutes ago, Jason said:

For everyone's sake, better hope James come good!

It'll be funny to watch people's reaction though if James struggles.

if he does, we are in even more trouble, plus we then have to go out and grab a WC RB in summer 2020

best options (some are HRD pulls, and many nost listed are now off the board like AWB)

 

Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig, tall (1.89m), strong, young (23yo) pacey, would be a good buy)

Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax 21yo potential superstar, nice size 1.83m)

Timothy Castagne (Atalanta, 23yo, 1.85m, strong, pacey Belgian)

Sergi Roberto (Barca and can play holding MF too, will be a really hard pull, we have failed multiple times in the past, plus he turns 29yo next season, so not really a long term option)    

Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund on loan from Real Madrid, very hard pull)    

Ricardo Pereira (Leicester, and they will probably lose Chilwell next summer, so will fight so hard to keep him)

Youcef Atal (OGC Nice, had a superb year to rocket up the charts, many EPL teams, like spuds will make a move, downside is his height, only 1.76m)     

Benjamin Henrichs (Monaco, 1.83m, still only 22yo)

Denzel Dumfries (PSV, big (1.89m), strong, pacey, 23yo)

Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid, only if he fully recovers, plus he turns 29yo next season, so not really a long term option)    

Nélson Semedo (Barca, and like Roberto, so hard a pull)

Elseid Hysaj (Napoli, so the poison dwarf will try and fuck us)

Nordi Mukiele (RB Leipzig, he makes it easier to pull Klostermann)

Zeki Celik (Lille, 22yo, had a great season)

Pol Lirola (Fiorentina, 22yo, 1.83m)

wild card: Ki-Jana Hoever (Liverpool, bleh, and only 17yo, but looks to have bags of potential)

 

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

3 hours ago, communicate said:

Won't blame him for the corner. Aerial battle has never been his strength. 

Have to agree. Plus it was zonal marking v someone on the move, so they automatically will always have the advantage so its not a mistake as such more a issue with setting up zonally to defend corners. 

2 hours ago, Jason said:

But the least he could have done is put a challenge in, put pressure on Ndidi on that corner. Instead he got a free header and it led to a goal. 

Perhaps but a free man with a run on anybody yet alone someone two or three inches smaller with not as great a leap, is always going to have the advantage. Zonal marking is terrible. Fair enough its so common these days practically all the big teams do it but you can get the mix right, some zonal markers and then man to man following the bigger threats. As Cole stated in the interview regarding the body shape, yeah, hes right to an extent but if it was man to man and he had a chance to run and attack the ball like Ndidi did he'd of been a lot lot closer.

Still think his performances have dipped a lot but you also have to consider that under Sarri and also with Frank so far, the teams really exposed and this has given United and Leicester huge chances to counter attack which has led to chances, corners, goals etc. Its maybe as many have alluded to, the shape and getting caught on the ball when we are further up field, not just individual errors (although Azpi hasn't been great for a lot of the goals this season when Frank has said about 4 mistakes v United I think he was wrong to just say that, the gaps between midfield and defence were the reason why these players got into these spaces to have these opportunities). His pace has never been outstanding and while I am excited to see Reece get a chance, I don't think Reece James will come in and fair a lot lot better as many predict as he will need time to get upto speed with the level and higher standard. Its going to take a lot of work to prevent being in positions where the teams very open and players can isolate Azpi or Emerson or Zouma or whoever. You give a player such as Martial or Rashford, who are so quick and good at dribbling all the space in the world or basically a free hit to run at players, they will beat them more often than not. If we stop conceding these counter attack scenarios we will eliminate half the issue. His concentration worries me more than his actual ability to defend, you can be the best defender in the world but if you switch off at the wrong moment... it doesn't matter how good you are. 

[the wes 7,212]

 

[Jase 43,479]

39 minutes ago, the wes said:

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,382]

Mental he’s never really sustained any long term injury, or even like a month out. 

His legs giving way just like how Cesc’s did. 

[Vesper 30,182]

2 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Mental he’s never really sustained any long term injury, or even like a month out. 

His legs giving way just like how Cesc’s did. 

He blew out his ACL in 2010-11 with Marseille.

[killer1257 3,282]

Cost us the 3 points

[Milan 17,957]

Enough is enough. Waiting for the admin to come here to defend him like he was his father.

Azpilicueta needs to be dropped immediately.

[Special Juan 28,141]

He's shite, said it last season, average defender.

[Nicco 927]

James can't come soon enough.

[Alabama 1,992]

James come and push this guy back to bench... Please go along  with your co-clown Zouma... 

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Slowly turning into Alonso, except without the odd goal.

 

It was painful seeing Championship players target him today, and know they were gonna get something.

It was even more painful seeing him push up in attack knowing if we lost the ball he had no chance of getting back into position.

 

He turned 30 this week and is already gone physically. You hate to see it.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Think he deserves the flak hes gotten this season compared to times last season. Reece in my eyes wont just come in and be like Cafu 2.0 but we need another fit RB so we can switch Azpi out for a week or 2 cause he is struggling hugely. 

[the wes 7,212]

Mr reliable is no longer reliable awful performance today 

[Milan 17,957]

He has always been consistent, though. In the past seasons, consistently good. Last months, consistently bad.

[Special Juan 28,141]

He offers nothing, take the arm band off him and displace him ASAP.

[LAM09 7,056]

I've been saying it since last season; he has no future at this club as a FB.

 

CB or bust at this point and Lampard needs to realise that. Can't keep crying out for Reece.

 

 

[Johnnyeye 7,509]

Always will be grateful for his massive contribution to this club and his passion, but unfortunately his time at the top level is done, need to move him on asap.