César Azpilicueta

[Unionjack 7,531]

We must admit tho that Dave just isn't suited to his system/ He had a shocker on sunday. Ou captain was all fingers and thumbs

The team obviously don't listen to him - if he did try to rally them and get their heads together. And gave them a penalty as if they needed one.

But have to keep him even on bench as theres more chane of a new manager than new players.

@OneMoSalah We kept them both too long.

I think JT made them both look better than they were and when he left it showed.

Very basic skills wise but strong big old boys who were needed at times.

[Jase 43,479]

13 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Azpi is more of a Cahill/Ivanovic than a Terry; Terry is arguably the best CB of his generation. On the other hand Azpi just a decent player. 

I think saying Azpi is "a decent player" is rather harsh, TBH. This season and his offensive limitation aside, he has been arguably our best and most consistent defender for the last 6-7 years. When in recent seasons can you genuinely remember he had a bad game? He played well at RB under Di Matteo, Benitez. Went to LB and did a solid job there. Went to CB and again, did an outstanding job. He was constantly shifted around the back 4 and yet his performances and consistency never wavered - he was such a rock defensively that Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher - two of the higher quality defenders in PL history - named him the best defender some years ago.

[Jase 43,479]

2 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

We must admit tho that Dave just isn't suited to his system/ He had a shocker on sunday. Ou captain was all fingers and thumbs

The team obviously don't listen to him - if he did try to rally them and get their heads together. And gave them a penalty as if they needed one.

Azpi isn't a leader like Terry but one can only do so much as a captain if the others operate on their own. Terry was a successful captain but it wasn't just because of his leadership qualities but he also had other leaders within the team that stepped up and took responsibility when needed. Can't really say the same about this squad, can we? 

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

I think saying Azpi is "a decent player" is rather harsh, TBH. This season and his offensive limitation aside, he has been arguably our best and most consistent defender for the last 6-7 years. When in recent seasons can you genuinely remember he had a bad game? He played well at RB under Di Matteo, Benitez. Went to LB and did a solid job there. Went to CB and again, did an outstanding job. He was constantly shifted around the back 4 and yet his performances and consistency never wavered - he was such a rock defensively that Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher - two of the higher quality defenders in PL history - named him the best defender some years ago.

100% 

This season our back 4 has been horribly exposed.

Normally 1v1 Azpi is defensively sound but he has struggled for the second season since Joses poor year before he got sacked. Lack of ability going forward is also harsh, we have played with a lack of attacking movement and a false 9 a lot this season. You try crossing a ball in the air to somebody who is 5 ft 7 what do you expect? His delivery under Conte was undoubtly a huge plus. Even under Jose at LB when he got forward he offered something. He is hardly offensively poor as well as in spells under Rafa. Could be better but hes hardly a blunt instrument so to speak. 

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, OneMoSalah said:

100% 

This season our back 4 has been horribly exposed.

Normally 1v1 Azpi is defensively sound but he has struggled for the second season since Joses poor year before he got sacked. Lack of ability going forward is also harsh, we have played with a lack of attacking movement and a false 9 a lot this season. You try crossing a ball in the air to somebody who is 5 ft 7 what do you expect? His delivery under Conte was undoubtly a huge plus. Even under Jose at LB when he got forward he offered something. He is hardly offensively poor as well as in spells under Rafa. Could be better but hes hardly a blunt instrument so to speak. 

Okay TBH, I don't remember much of 2015/16 apart from that 2-2 draw against Spurs.   But I don't recall Azpi being bad in the 'Mourinho Season' compared to this season, where he has had more shaky performances than solid ones.

Overall though and I've said this a few times, people take Azpi's consistency and strong performances in the past years for granted. He rarely made mistakes, was dependable, always with 9/10 performances (something even Terry pointed out). Guess this likely down to the fact that he doesn't do anything fancy or isn't like a vocal/standout character like Terry or Ivanovic.

[Unionjack 7,531]

1 minute ago, Jason said:

Azpi isn't a leader like Terry but one can only do so much as a captain if the others operate on their own. Terry was a successful captain but it wasn't just because of his leadership qualities but he also had other leaders within the team that stepped up and took responsibility when needed. Can't really say the same about this squad, can we? 

Thats what I've been saying  it in a nutshell.

Go back a couple short years ago and the squad was full of captains of their national team or regular players for their countries team.

Whats happened is all that commitment,passion and footballing heads it took to get them there has slowly drained away. We are left with a magnolia  copy of then.

We dont have a leader. I did think Luiz had it in him but him and Rudi were diabolical too

All of them moping around hands on hips feeling sorry for themselves. I would have gladly punched them alll.

How do you give faith again to players that give up like that?

I'm at a complete loss. Never felt this bad even in Div 2.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

3 minutes ago, Jason said:

Okay TBH, I don't remember much of 2015/16 apart from that 2-2 draw against Spurs.   But I don't recall Azpi being bad in the 'Mourinho Season' compared to this season, where he has had more shaky performances than solid ones.

Overall though and I've said this a few times, people take Azpi's consistency and strong performances in the past years for granted. He rarely made mistakes, was dependable, always with 9/10 performances (something even Terry pointed out). Guess this likely down to the fact that he doesn't do anything fancy or isn't like a vocal/standout character like Terry or Ivanovic.

Or down to the fact he is not 18-27. Some people think footballers seize to be able to play at the highest level once they hit 30...

[Vesper 28,833]

2 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Or down to the fact he is not 18-27. Some people think footballers seize to be able to play at the highest level once they hit 30...

There is literally no WC RB over 28, unless you count Azpi.

One other over 27, Walker, who is 28.

That's it.

[!Hazard! 3,394]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

There is literally no WC RB over 28, unless you count Azpi.

One other over 27, Walker, who is 28.

That's it.

Dani Alves just destroyed Man United. At the age of 35. He was playing in midfield but nevertheless

[Vesper 28,833]

1 minute ago, !Hazard! said:

Dani Alves just destroyed Man United. At the age of 35. He was playing in midfield but nevertheless

MF

not RB

I am right

there are no WC Rb's over 28 unless you count Azpi

even if I give you Alves ( and ZERO chance he is a fulltime RB)

he is a genetic freak (like CR7 and Fernandinho)

you cant name any over 29

Azpi is a spent force

sell him whilst we can still get £30m to £40m

time to rebuild

he is dropping off a cliff right in front of all our eyes

zero nostalgia for moi

I am ruthless

my football team should be too

 

 

 

[Beigl 1,387]

I know Alonso will get all criticism, but lets not pretend if Azpilicueta is that much better now. He has been weak pretty much all season. 

[Jase 43,479]

Azpi has hardly been great but Sarri decided to run him into the ground and now brings Zappacosta on to replace him at 2-0 down?! OH MY FUCKING GOD! 

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

He needs to bulk up and turn into a CB.

 

Not like he has any pace left to lose anyways.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

My god, he's been fucking horrendous the past few months. 

[NikkiCFC 7,953]

I'd play Zappa over him.

[Clockwork 1,794]

Just shut up Azpilicueta, more action less words. 

[Jase 43,479]

16 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Just shut up Azpilicueta, more action less words. 

Indeed but what was he - or anyone else in his position - supposed to say? It means nothing these days to hear Sarri or the players talk after a defeat because it's just the same BS overall.

[Special Juan 27,429]

We won't be winning any trophy on Sunday fella, that's a fact.