César Azpilicueta

[English Freak 456]

Don't get me wrong, I like Azpi. He's a very solid player and has done well this season. Despite his hit or miss crossing he's a very solid passer in open play. Look at the pass he made to Mata in the build up to Hazard's goal on Sunday, it was a lovely disguised pass that Ivanovic would never even attempt let alone pull off. Azpi is only 23 years old so he will continue to get better and hopefully he will have a long and successful Chelsea career.

I just mention Wallace because he's the latest in a line of right-backs. He is supposedly a good attacking fullback so if we can develop his defensive ability then he will be a serious option long-term.

Who knows..if Wallace develops properly, he could be similar to United's Rafael..

Anyway, I don't think we'll see Wallace playing for Chelsea for at least another 3-4 seasons..

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Azpi has 4 assists from crosses this season. It's just that he can't put in good crosses consistently.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Who knows..if Wallace develops properly, he could be similar to United's Rafael..

please not... Rafael is only playing for Utd cos they do not have any other players for that position who aren't shite too atm.

Apparently the art of crossing precisely is somehow gone lost. The quality of crosses in Europe's top competition actually does not differ too much from the amateur leagues in Germany. We have similar completion rates here and just as often as Alves, Arbeloa, zabaleta & Co hack every third cross into the opposing sideline. The only right back who actually puts in crosses consistently is Philipp Lahm, only that he seldom has to gu up the pitch these times. He still is overrated.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Azpilicueta is certainly better than Bosingwa, but he was one of our worst players against ManU. He was caught badly out of position about 3 times forcing Moses to make a couple of key tackles (including the foul that led to the Rooney goal).He's had a very good first season with Chelsea but he does have room to grow. Azpilicueta and Ivanovic are as good a RB duo as there is in the Premier League (except perhaps Zabaleta and Walker and Maicon) so it's not an area of concern.

Ashley cole was actually worse. He pushed up erratically so many times wen marking in the first half and left spaces in the left wing for nani after he was easily dribbled. He contributed almost nothing going forward in the first half.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Anyway, I don't think we'll see Wallace playing for Chelsea for at least another 3-4 seasons..

Agreed.Maybe even longer.

[Liquidator 5,176]

I got a man crush on him

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

Rafael is so overrated, good going forward, shite defensively. If Wallace turns out like him then god help us.

Tbh I rate only Zabaleta and Richards as better RBs than Azpi even though Richards has rarely played this year. Guy is beast. Probably turn into a CB though.

Anyway Cesar > Ivanovic at RB, offers so much more than the Serb apart from strength and an aeriel presence.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Rafael is so overrated, good going forward, shite defensively. If Wallace turns out like him then god help us.

As far I know he kept Ronaldo in pocket for two games, except for the second goal after Utd had 10 players.

Rafael is not brilliant, but certainly equaly good to Azpi in terms of contribution to the team overall. And both are still young, we should do comparisons when both players reach best years (26-29).

Rafael was shit previous seasons, but did big leap this year. I personaly will be surprised if Wallace will be that good as Rafael at same age, considering how 'brilliant' we are with youth development...

Personaly I think Carvajal is best young RB right now. His progress at age 19 is just wow.

[English Freak 456]

Rafael is so overrated, good going forward, shite defensively. If Wallace turns out like him then god help us.

Tbh I rate only Zabaleta and Richards as better RBs than Azpi even though Richards has rarely played this year. Guy is beast. Probably turn into a CB though.

Anyway Cesar > Ivanovic at RB, offers so much more than the Serb apart from strength and an aeriel presence.

Who knows..Wallace might never play for Chelsea's first team..seems like he'll be joining the long list of loanees..

As for our RB position, giving Todd Kane the odd chance in cup games wouldn't be a bad option.

[JDY 1,290]

As far I know he kept Ronaldo in pocket for two games, except for the second goal after Utd had 10 players.

Rafael is not brilliant, but certainly equaly good to Azpi in terms of contribution to the team overall. And both are still young, we should do comparisons when both players reach best years (26-29).

Rafael was shit previous seasons, but did big leap this year. I personaly will be surprised if Wallace will be that good as Rafael at same age, considering how 'brilliant' we are with youth development...

Personaly I think Carvajal is best young RB right now. His progress at age 19 is just wow.

Should be back at Madrid next season. IIRC they have a buy-back clause of around £5m

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Ivanovic was the best crossing RB in the Premier league last season with a 30% success rate. (Zabaleta was 13%) No fullbacks hit crosses with regularity that forwards can get as their crosses are from further away and usually at difficult angles. .

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Should be back at Madrid next season. IIRC they have a buy-back clause of around £5m

Sooner or later...

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Who knows..Wallace might never play for Chelsea's first team..seems like he'll be joining the long list of loanees..

Yup i also doubt wallace's chances of making it here greatly.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

[Jase 43,479]

He has been called up to the Spain NT(along with Mata. No Torres) by Del Bosque for the upcoming international matches against Finland and France.