César Azpilicueta

[The Chels 2,502]

He has been always a monster in big games. Luis is kind of new to PL. At least this is my opinion on what Jose is thinking.

Hmm think you're really underestimating Luis. He played in the best, most hard-working team last season in Europe IMO particularly in the big games, and he's shown (apart from the mistake against Palace) that he's more than capable of playing in the PL. I really don't understand why Jose's choosing between our 2 best FBs and making our 3rd best FB undroppable...

[LAB 1,030]

Hmm think you're really underestimating Luis. He played in the best, most hard-working team last season in Europe IMO particularly in the big games, and he's shown (apart from the mistake against Palace) that he's more than capable of playing in the PL. I really don't understand why Jose's choosing between our 2 best FBs and making our 3rd best FB undroppable...

I am not. In fact i'd love to see Iva as CB and Luis, Azpi on their natural positions at the same time. But i think Jose has his favourites and he rarely drops them, especially in the back four he loves stabillity. Maybe it's early for Jose to think Luis as a starter in PL and having to play CL football and cup competitions also plays a role to that.

[Myself 793]

Cahill is doing just fine, moving Branna to CB won't do anything. The only thing Cahill can improve on is being more aggressive. Luis - Kalas - Cahill - Dave should be our back 4 when JT retires

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Azpi good in defence

Iva good in attack

Luis good in both sides

Yet it will be Luis most probably dropped

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

Named best defender in the Premier League by Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

[Jase 43,479]

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher name Cesar Azpilicueta as top defender on Monday Night Football

[The Skipper 20,609]

Named best defender in the Premier League by Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Didn't Neville call him a weak link before?

[Jase 43,479]

Didn't Neville call him a weak link before?

That was Luis.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Agree. Def the best 1 on 1 defender imo.

He has this ability of keeping his torso upright while swiveling his lower body which means he's never off-balance.

hahaha that makes no sense, but it honestly seems that way

[chelseafc9010 224]

He can attack as well, when he was rb for us in Rafa's season he was great on the attack.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher name Cesar Azpilicueta as top defender on Monday Night Football

I might sound pedantic, but I don't think he's done much this season to be deserving of that accolade. Seems very random. He doesn't impress me that much now since it's a much more attacking team.. His job is also simpler than Ivanovic since he's the one defending most of the time and rarely overlaps. IMO, we look more fluent as an attacking force with Luis and Brana.

[chelseafc9010 224]

I might sound pedantic, but I don't think he's done much this season to be deserving of that accolade. Seems very random. He doesn't impress me that much now since it's a much more attacking team.. His job is also simpler than Ivanovic since he's the one defending most of the time and rarely overlaps. IMO, we look more fluent as an attacking force with Luis and Brana.

Yeah because we completely dominated United and QPR..

[The Skipper 20,609]

That was Luis.

For some reason I thought this was the Luis thread...

[Jase 43,479]

For some reason I thought this was the Luis thread...

You're drunk Skippy. Go to sleep!

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Neville on Azpilicueta "I don't see him making a mistake". He was caught out of position for Everton's 1st goal earlier this season. I can think of other situations were he's made mistakes that cost us, particularly towards the end of last season. PSG, Sunderland, Atletico etc.

I like Azpilicueta a lot, he's a honest player who has made the most out of the limited skill he has but I'll be honest. He's a great 1 v 1 defender but he's become slightly overrated. Last season, we were a defensive team and it fitted Cesar very well, but like Ramires, he just seems out of place in that left back role in this new Chelsea.

It's unreasonable to make a direct comparison between him and Ivanovic or even Luis because both those players are given license to overlap and help our forward players. Azpilcueta is defending almost all game, so the chances of him getting caught out are minimized greatly. If players like Zabaleta and Ivanovic are given one task to defend, of course they're going to look better than they actually are. At this moment in time, I can't make a case for him starting over Luis, for balance reasons, or for Ivanovic because he's improved his final ball drastically and he's a force of nature when he bombs forward.