César Azpilicueta

[El P. 1,354]

First of all, let's give Rahman a run of games. He certainly deserves more chance at LB than Kenedy, because that's his only postion and he is somewhat proven there. If he fails, then go for Kenedy, he will get his chances upfront to play anyway.

Azpi to RB is no-brainer. He need games there to restore attacking ability of crossing and dribbling.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Become a great player? Let's just calm down with the hype..

I see him becoming a better version of Danny Rose

Quite a good LB then?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I think Kenedy has a huge future at LB. Been impressed with him in that position since he came on against Palace. Everyone in the Shed around me was massively impressed by his performance. He could actually become a great player there. I think he lacks the extra finesse to be a great winger, but he's got the determination to do well at LB.

Thing is, now we're kind of loaded in left-back. Aké's done great things at Watford, even grabbing a goal this weekend, so the club would be unwise not to pay attention to him! Then there's Rahman and let's be honest, Azpi at LB was sensational. He dislodged Ashley Cole no problem, who we thought was as untouchable as Ivanovic.

Taking a winger and converting him to LB sounds risky. Indeed, Carragher said last year most LBs are failed wingers lol, but that's from a young age. Most do the opposite, Bale went from a left-back to a left-winger no problems. Because you're taking shackles off, when you make them an LB you're putting the shackles on.

[Stats 7,140]

I know Kenedy is not a defender but nowadays a lot of fullbacks have started out as wingers and were transformed into fullbacks. In modern football the fullback has essentially taking over the role of the winger.

Marcelo, Alaba, Alba, Alves, the list goes on. All fullbacks that have been put in that role because of their attacking abillity.

Kenedy is 19 years old and could be taught to defend. Ofcourse he'd never be as good a defender as someone like say Azpi but he could be taught the basics so he wouldn't be a liability in that position.

At the end of the day he would be put there primarily because of his attacking abillity.

A perfect example of a fullback in the PL who started as a winger is Bellerin. Look how much he has grown and arguably has been the best RB this season in the PL. Has improved defensively with work by the coaches even though his defensive side can be a bit weak, he is a quality RB now.

And yeah like you said, he will never be as good as a defender as Azpi is but tbh I would much rather an attacking fullback who can be vulnerable to the odd defensive mistakes rather than have a full back who is good defensively but does not offer much on the offensive front.

[DYC. 7,542]

Thing is, now we're kind of loaded in left-back. Aké's done great things at Watford, even grabbing a goal this weekend, so the club would be unwise not to pay attention to him! Then there's Rahman and let's be honest, Azpi at LB was sensational. He dislodged Ashley Cole no problem, who we thought was as untouchable as Ivanovic.

Taking a winger and converting him to LB sounds risky. Indeed, Carragher said last year most LBs are failed wingers lol, but that's from a young age. Most do the opposite, Bale went from a left-back to a left-winger no problems. Because you're taking shackles off, when you make them an LB you're putting the shackles on.

That's not true. The less talent you possess, the further you get pushed back in youth football. If you're a defender at a young age, the odds of switching to an attacking role at a later stage is very, very slim.

It's the opposite. Marcelo, Dani Alves, Roberto Carlos, Alba, Alaba and so many more all played higher up the pitch at first. Ashley Cole was a striker when he was a boy, right? Bale is a rare case. And he was pushed up because he couldn't defend, isn't that something? Sergi Roberto is the latest example of a midfielder turned fullback. Possibly Dani Alves' succesor.

Fullbacks are often failed or decent wingers, midfielders and centrebacks with impressive athleticism and/or power. Less tactical responsibility, more space, more freedom, element of surprise when attacking. It's easier to master but at the same time it's very demanding.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

That's not true. The less talent you possess, the further you get pushed back in youth football. If you're a defender at a young age, the odds of switching to an attacking role at a later stage is very, very slim.

It's the opposite. Marcelo, Dani Alves, Roberto Carlos, Alba, Alaba and so many more all played higher up the pitch at first. Ashley Cole was a striker when he was a boy, right? Bale is a rare case. And he was pushed up because he couldn't defend, isn't that something? Sergi Roberto is the latest example of a midfielder turned fullback. Possibly Dani Alves' succesor.

Fullbacks are often failed or decent wingers, midfielders and centrebacks with impressive athleticism and/or power. Less tactical responsibility, more space, more freedom, element of surprise when attacking. It's easier to master but at the same time it's very demanding.

Fair enough, I guess that does make sense.

I just thought that transition from winger to defence would have happened at academy level as opposed to professional. I mean you follow my reasoning? If they're not trusted defensively young then I would've thought they would lack the discipline to carry it out.

That's my worry with Kenedy suggestion. He's so used to being in the attacking third of the pitch that defensive duties might be abandoned by force of habit.

[DYC. 7,542]

Fair enough, I guess that does make sense.

I just thought that transition from winger to defence would have happened at academy level as opposed to professional. I mean you follow my reasoning? If they're not trusted defensively young then I would've thought they would lack the discipline to carry it out.

That's my worry with Kenedy suggestion. He's so used to being in the attacking third of the pitch that defensive duties might be abandoned by force of habit.

I completely understand what you're saying. It's not a transition for everyone. But you can learn how to defend even at relatively late age. Some possess that natural knack already, that aggression and ability to react quickly.

I agree with those saying he did well when he played there. But personally I need to see more of him there, especially when facing real resistance, before drawing conclusions.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I completely understand what you're saying. It's not a transition for everyone. But you can learn how to defend even at relatively late age. Some possess that natural knack already, that aggression and ability to react quickly.

I agree with those saying he did well when he played there. But personally I need to see more of him there, especially when facing real resistance, before drawing conclusions.

Yeah course.

Like again going back to my op, we'll have Baba, Aké (if he is called back) and Azpilicueta as our LBs. Cesar does count as both to be fair, and if Aina comes through then we'll have 3 RBs too.

Let's see what subsequent managers think, because if it's working in training and they see him there in the future then Mou will deserve a good amount of credit for that.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

http://www.joe.co.uk/sport/cesar-azpilicueta-is-as-crazy-as-he-is-brave-as-frazier-campbell-tries-to-take-his-head-off/35057

Brave Man.

[Chelsea4 1,521]

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta suffered a double cheek fracture at Crystal Palace and will be forced to wear protective mask. (Mail)

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Things this boy does for us...

[Milan 17,955]

Another mask in the team? On a serious note, it is not surprising Azpi suffered an injury after that kick. Actually, it would be shocking if he didn't.

Warrior. A proper lion.

[Yeboii 1,844]

Lol and he kept going like nothing happened!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Playing through a fracture for the team? Maybe JT is not as irreplaceable as I've always thought.... 

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

How many players have been forced to wear masks since like 2012? 

 

Off the top of my head: Ba, Torres, Cech, Matic, Cesc, Cahill, and now Azpi (again!)

 

The curse is upon us!