César Azpilicueta

[robsblubot 3,504]

On 5/14/2019 at 2:49 AM, the wes said:

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

Agreed. Getting old is harsh on players esp fullbacks who rely more on pace.

on the other hand, older players get longer to regain fitness early season, so he may still get to his normal level this season.

he’s twice the defender zouma is, so no brainer really.

[killer1257 3,282]

Just now, Robchels said:

Agreed. Getting old is harsh on players esp fullbacks who rely more on pace.

on the other hand, older players get longer to regain fitness early season, so he may still get to his normal level this season.

he’s twice the defender zouma is, so no brainer really.

Way to small for a CB.

[Vesper 28,832]

perhaps Reece can come in at CB when he is fit

he played a lot there for Wigan last year

[killer1257 3,282]

Just now, Vesper said:

perhaps Reece can come in at CB when he is fit

he played a lot there for Wigan last year

I think that is the plan. Lamps mentioned his name in the post match interview. I expect him to give James a fair shot. James at least can cross the ball ten times better than Azpi and he can dribble. Azpi looks lost in 1 vs 1 situations in the opposite half. We have two big strikers in Giroud and Abraham and we have no fullbacks that can cross. Emerson at least can strike the ball, dribble and shoot, but Azpi offers nothing in the offensive play.

[robsblubot 3,504]

4 minutes ago, killer1257 said:

Way to small for a CB.

Yes he is, but the other one is a completely inapt player.

azpi worked well in a 3cb system and Andreas is pretty good in the air.

[Jase 43,479]

Like I said in the match thread, Azpi needs to be given competition or at the very least, rotated with someone (aka James). He has played so many games over the past few years that it might well have contributed to his drop in performance level. 

[killer1257 3,282]

Just now, Robchels said:

Yes he is, but the other one is a completely inapt player.

azpi worked well in a 3cb system and Andreas is pretty good in the air.

We should just wait on Rüdiger to be fully fit. In the 3 CB system, we had Cahill and Luiz, who had height, so in the end Azpi lack in heightdid not much matter. But having just Christensen is not enough,especially in the PL.

[robsblubot 3,504]

19 minutes ago, killer1257 said:

We should just wait on Rüdiger to be fully fit. In the 3 CB system, we had Cahill and Luiz, who had height, so in the end Azpi lack in heightdid not much matter. But having just Christensen is not enough,especially in the PL.

Oh no I’m not saying do that in a regular basis, but as an emergency in very special circumstances, like against Arsenal for ex. Not a real strong team in the air anyway.

perhaps even zouma will be enough against the typical pl high ball teams, but he’s so poor on the ball and that will get exploited esp. y savvy top attackers.

[NikkiCFC 7,953]

When James is back this guy won't see a pitch in PL. 

[Magic Lamps 11,655]

Absolute overreaction. He was hardly at fault for the martial goal as Christensen vacated his position which itself was  not his fault because the defence got stretched by that wayward Rashford pass. blameless for the other goals..his crossing is poor but other than that he worked alright. I hope Reece benches him but he will remain an asset

[Superblue 6,370]

5 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

Absolute overreaction. He was hardly at fault for the martial goal as Christensen vacated his position which itself was  not his fault because the defence got stretched by that wayward Rashford pass. blameless for the other goals..his crossing is poor but other than that he worked alright. I hope Reece benches him but he will remain an asset

There's definitely a role still to play for Azpi and maybe I just have a loyal nature myself but I do believe a bit of leeway can and should be afforded for players who have built up a significant amount of credit through the years with great performances, attitude, etc. 

I agree that I'm itching to see Reece James back to full fitness and what he can offer us. But even if James can step up and become first choice, Azpi will still be an important and versatile member of the squad.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

We have been conceding left and right last season, this preseason and will probably through this season too.

Its not just Azpi fault. Nor AC nor Zouma nor Luiz nor Alonso. Defending is collective and the have all been at fault more than once. That goes to our midfield too because Jorginho and Kovacic are rather shit because they get caught up almost every game.

As long we have that kind of players in the team, we will continue to concede. It wont help if we just drop this or that player.

The only worthy defenders here are Rudiger and Emerson with AC having somewhat of potential.

Zouma was brilliant for Everton, but I dont know what the hell happend with him because he fucks it up every time. He was always questionable in possesion but if someone compared him last season with our defenders, he was probably the best at defending.

[NikkiCFC 7,953]

His legs are gone. Second goal is all on him. If Lampard persist with him it's going to be new Ivanovic situation for sure. James is back next month. Play Zappa against Leicester? 

[Jase 43,479]

4 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

His legs are gone. Second goal is all on him. If Lampard persist with him it's going to be new Ivanovic situation for sure. James is back next month. Play Zappa against Leicester? 

Liverpool's first goal is definitely on him. The second is down to the team. Azpi lost the ball - wasn't ideal but it can happen - and then the team failed to cover the gaps effectively (e.g. Zouma was playing the runner on), although it still needed Mane to produce a proper finish. 

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

Just now, NikkiCFC said:

His legs are gone. Second goal is all on him. If Lampard persist with him it's going to be new Ivanovic situation for sure. James is back in the month. Play Zappa against Leicester? 

Again, a bit OTT regarding him I would say. He wasnt too bad but he didnt step up. He still has plenty to give though.

Reece James haa got a lot of praise last season and rightfully so but we seen with Tammy, with Mason and with other youngsters in the past that people expect so much from them. Reece isnt going to come in and be Cafu or Maicon instantly , there will be teething issues like with all young players and inconsistent periods with his performances as games are played at a very high level in the PL/European matches.

Theres already too much expectation on Reece James on this forum in my eyes. Yes hes a very good prospect, I dont doubt it, hes ready to be a back up or member of the squad, very much so, but an undisputed starter each week, I dont think so. Needs to be bled in and see how he does. Like Mount and Tammy,  they wont start every week, theyll be started some weeks then maybe be subs in other games. You have to gradually keep using them and getting them comfortable to play at this higher level. For me once they've got some game time and understand the level, the expectations, the physical and mental demands and are able to effect games and deliver big performances, yeah start them 4 or 5 games in a row or whatever the numbers. These guys still have to learn at the same time. Ruben for example, Sarri didnt use him a lot start of the season but he came in,  performed, understood the level, the system, the demands of playing at Chelsea as opposed to Palace and ended up stsrting. CHO the same, I think he will be the youngster with the most minutes for us this season.

Plus a lot of tonight Azpi reigned it in a bit and Emerson bombed on more, it was obviously a tactical tweak after the United game. Very much reminds me of how Sir Alex and Jose used to use their full backs in big games. One more reserved and one allowed to push further up. We didnt actually suffer too much on the right offensively due to Kante, playing in that same position Sarri used him in, and Pedro combining very well and when we did lack options Azpi did come up higher at times. 

[Last Sicarius 610]

What happend to him, math by match he is going lower and lower. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,303]

Again we saw another team give him all the time in the world on that right attacking side given how poor of a 'footballer' he is. 

I really hope James is the answer, because I am honestly fed up with watching how fucking appalling our right attacking side has been over the course of a decade. 

[the wes 7,212]

Graeme Souness feels Cesar Azpilicueta responsible for horror Chelsea start

https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/graeme-souness-feels-cesar-azpilicueta-responsible-horror-chelsea-start-1502790010.html