César Azpilicueta

[Jase 43,479]

Not saying Azpi has suddenly turned into a natural attacking right back but is it just me, does Azpi look better going forward when CHO is playing ahead of him?

[Vytis33 1,144]

29 minutes ago, Jason said:

Not saying Azpi has suddenly turned into a natural attacking right back but is it just me, does Azpi look better going forward when CHO is playing ahead of him?

 

Not saying you're wrong on this but he sure has looked more susceptible defensively this year.  A few examples of that today.

[MoroccanBlue 5,306]

Odoi's directness may had something to do with it. 

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

44 minutes ago, Jason said:

Not saying Azpi has suddenly turned into a natural attacking right back but is it just me, does Azpi look better going forward when CHO is playing ahead of him?

I think so because theres less burden on him to provide width, Pedro and Willian when theyre on the right like to come centrally congesting the pitch and making the chance for 2 on 1s minimal in comparison to what we seen with Callum tonight. Azpi also got in the box a few times too. Azpi isnt going to blow anyone away with pace but creating 2 on 1s gives him a chance.

[Jase 43,479]

4 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

I think so because theres less burden on him to provide width, Pedro and Willian when theyre on the right like to come centrally congesting the pitch and making the chance for 2 on 1s minimal in comparison to what we seen with Callum tonight. Azpi also got in the box a few times too. Azpi isnt going to blow anyone away with pace but creating 2 on 1s gives him a chance.

I can't remember exactly which games but he has been decent attacking wise in some of the recent games. He isn't going to beat anyone 1 v 1 but him being able to create overlaps or even underlaps to drag players away is a big bonus. 

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

4 minutes ago, Jason said:

I can't remember exactly which games but he has been decent attacking wise in some of the recent games. He isn't going to beat anyone 1 v 1 but him being able to create overlaps or even underlaps to drag players away is a big bonus. 

Hes been reasonably good for a few games now but because he isnt a hugely pacey fullback, although hes no slouch, he is going to have limitations against some teams. Regardless Id rather have somebody as defensively solid as him than a more offensive and weaker defensive fullback.

The issue necessarily isnt our fullbacks being poor (well could argue about Alonso and Zappacosta tbf), its more often or not they arent wide enough or we dont create enough 2 on 1 opportunities to isolate opposition fullbacks in the final third in wide areas to gain an advantage. 

Ironically, hes been very decent offensively throughout his career here despite the fact people seem to think when he first joined he wasnt offensive enough and now some believe hes past it.

His evolution in terms of his versatility and also improving technically (quite a big improvement too, which was even more evident in a back 3 under Conte) is a huge credit to him. Regardless of what people think, can only say £7,000,000 well spent. 

 

[BlueLyon 9,359]

What is going on with him? 

He used to be one of those tough defenders who dont give a shit while still not being a prick. 

But these days he gets rattled so quickly, panics, loses shit, starts bitching about every single ref decision and not in a positive way. Every time the camera points at him, he is screaming at something and looks completely rattled. When we are losing its especialy evident. 

He went from my favourite player into someone I dont mind replacing any time now. 

Has nothing to do with his performances, he declined a bit, but I thats understandable in new system. However his acting and behaviour on the pitch is awful. 

[LAM09 6,752]

On 4/19/2019 at 7:18 PM, BlueLyon said:

What is going on with him? 

He used to be one of those tough defenders who dont give a shit while still not being a prick. 

But these days he gets rattled so quickly, panics, loses shit, starts bitching about every single ref decision and not in a positive way. Every time the camera points at him, he is screaming at something and looks completely rattled. When we are losing its especialy evident. 

He went from my favourite player into someone I dont mind replacing any time now. 

Has nothing to do with his performances, he declined a bit, but I thats understandable in new system. However his acting and behaviour on the pitch is awful. 

His legs are going and he can't adjust back to being a RB.

[Nicco 927]

Azpi is genuinely worse than Alonso, starting to reach Ivanovic zone.

[Special Juan 27,429]

Very average footballer, very fortunate to be still playing at this club never mind at this level. 

The team is littered with very middle of the road players and he's one of them.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

I was going to say other than his final ball didnt think he was all that bad today. There was no urgency from any players today but didnt think Azpi was horrendous, he had a bad start (whole team did) and Lukaku absolutely smashed him but other than that did okay or so I though?? Hes played better yes but him and Alonso for all the flack they get played okay today. Even Jorginho played okay defensively today. 

Be interesting what happens in the summer if we have no transfer ban, Sarri wanted Hysaj and he wanted to move. Reece James also is a question Sarri will have to answer if hes still here.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

Needs to be given the Paulo Ferreira treatment and phased out from starting and rather be used as a sub moving forward. His not good enough for modern football. 

[Jase 43,479]

(cc @Vesper)

[killer1257 3,282]

19 minutes ago, Jason said:

(cc @Vesper)

This is the reason why James has to get another loan spell, so he can get some minutes because Azpi will never be benched under Sarri. Azpi does not even play good anymore, but Sarri still thinks that he is world class

[Clockwork 1,794]

58 minutes ago, killer1257 said:

This is the reason why James has to get another loan spell, so he can get some minutes because Azpi will never be benched under Sarri. Azpi does not even play good anymore, but Sarri still thinks that he is world class

Sarri will fail undoubtedly fail if he persists with Azpi at RB. Can’t expect to be a strong possession football team, when your FB can’t handle the slightest press.

 

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Thought he did well at CB today up against Vardy who seems to have a new lease of life under Rodgers. Hes played as a CB in a flat back 4 for Spain albeit on the left side as opposed to the right, probably first time hes been used there for us from the start in a back 4. Still think with plenty rest he should be good to go next season. World cups, euros and playing every week for 3 or 4 seasons on end will catch up with any player. I mean even Barca slowly reduced Messis minutes over last few seasons because of how regularly hes been used in the last 5-8 seasons... its no shock to assume Azpi probably wasnt playing well earlier in the season (along with more than half the team) because of fatigue. Definitely need to keep him around. 

[the wes 7,212]

On 12/05/2019 at 10:35 PM, OneMoSalah said:

Thought he did well at CB today up against Vardy who seems to have a new lease of life under Rodgers. Hes played as a CB in a flat back 4 for Spain albeit on the left side as opposed to the right, probably first time hes been used there for us from the start in a back 4. Still think with plenty rest he should be good to go next season. World cups, euros and playing every week for 3 or 4 seasons on end will catch up with any player. I mean even Barca slowly reduced Messis minutes over last few seasons because of how regularly hes been used in the last 5-8 seasons... its no shock to assume Azpi probably wasnt playing well earlier in the season (along with more than half the team) because of fatigue. Definitely need to keep him around. 

I think we should play Dave as a CB against arsenal in the final

[lucio 5,418]

terrible player, terrible captain