César Azpilicueta

[Jase 43,479]

Can we not play Azpi at RWB ever again? So painful to see him get burned for pace - even from the simplest of moves - defensively.

But on the other hand, while his end product isn't great, he does seem offer a lot more with his movement off the ball. Just watch Azpi's run that dragged the West Ham's defence deep and opened up the space for the goal. 

[OneMoSalah 8,619]

55 minutes ago, Jason said:

Can we not play Azpi at RWB ever again? So painful to see him get burned for pace - even from the simplest of moves - defensively.

But on the other hand, while his end product isn't great, he does seem offer a lot more with his movement off the ball. Just watch Azpi's run that dragged the West Ham's defence deep and opened up the space for the goal. 

Tbf Tuchel went for height in the back 3 and it was a wise move. I do think maybe resting him would of been better than playing him at wingback.

[Magic Lamps 11,473]

56 minutes ago, Jason said:

Can we not play Azpi at RWB ever again? So painful to see him get burned for pace - even from the simplest of moves - defensively.

But on the other hand, while his end product isn't great, he does seem offer a lot more with his movement off the ball. Just watch Azpi's run that dragged the West Ham's defence deep and opened up the space for the goal. 

I still do not understand it. It is not that he gives us any kind of superior protection defensively in that position where he has to make backward runs. His industry is greatly appreciated and he took nice positions, spread the side but he is not exactly useful in any attacking capacity other than his decent early crosses which have no one to head them in.

The reasoning behind it for TT might have been that he wanted 3 tall centrebacks to control the air vs Westhams giants and still have the captain on the field. I would have prefered Azpi had been rested tho.

[Jase 43,479]

4 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

Tbf Tuchel went for height in the back 3 and it was a wise move. I do think maybe resting him would of been better than playing him at wingback.

 

1 minute ago, Magic Lamps said:

I still do not understand it. It is not that he gives us any kind of superior protection defensively in that position where he has to make backward runs. His industry is greatly appreciated and he took nice positions, spread the side but he is not exactly useful in any attacking capacity other than his decent early crosses which have no one to head them in.

The reasoning behind it for TT might have been that he wanted 3 tall centrebacks to control the air vs Westhams giants and still have the captain on the field. I would have prefered Azpi had been rested tho.

Yup, Tuchel did say pre-game that he went for 3 CBs at the back because of West Ham's aerial threat and am pretty sure that he chose to play Azpi anyway was because he was the captain. Otherwise, I agree that playing him as a RWB was just odd.

[Tomo 21,685]

4 hours ago, Jason said:

Yup, Tuchel did say pre-game that he went for 3 CBs at the back because of West Ham's aerial threat and am pretty sure that he chose to play Azpi anyway was because he was the captain. Otherwise, I agree that playing him as a RWB was just odd.

I don't even think James should be playing at wingback let alone Azpi.

I guess it's understandable for the minute but if this formation is going to be what's happening going forward a minimum of one fullback playing the hybrid role and one natural winger at wingback is a must.

[Jase 43,479]

3 hours ago, Tomo said:

I don't even think James should be playing at wingback let alone Azpi.

I guess it's understandable for the minute but if this formation is going to be what's happening going forward a minimum of one fullback playing the hybrid role and one natural winger at wingback is a must.

That would certainly cause a headache in regards to how we manage the resources.

And who are the choices for RWB? I can only think of one in Hakimi but I doubt Inter would sell him, especially if Conte sticks around.

[NikkiCFC 7,634]

 

[Jase 43,479]

2 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

 

There was this the other day...

 

[NikkiCFC 7,634]

I would not do either.  His fee would not be more than 10m. 32yo this summer with one year left on contract. Keep him for next season and if he is still performing good in the end of the next season we can speak about 1 year extension if not let him go for free.

[Vesper 27,435]

He is reborn under Tuchel

insanely important and even his legs look fresher

I think he is pulling a Jordi Alba (who was pretty poor the past 2 season before this, especially last season, but who has been insanely good again this year at a fullback-age-limit-defying 32 for Barca... 5 goals and 18 assists for Alba 

just with Azpi it is world class defence you get

plus leadership

 

[Vesper 27,435]

11 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

I would not do either.  His fee would not be more than 10m. 32yo this summer with one year left on contract. Keep him for next season and if he is still performing good in the end of the next season we can speak about 1 year extension if not let him go for free.

£7 million t-fee! (and 10 years of play end of next season)

the greatest steal of all the EPL fullbacks signed in the 2010's IMHO

[Vesper 27,435]

On 25/04/2021 at 07:53, Jason said:

 

And who are the choices for RWB? I can only think of one in Hakimi but I doubt Inter would sell him, especially if Conte sticks around.

I had the perfect one, but he just blew his knee out 3 weeks ago 😪

a RMF/RWB hybrid

Silas Wamangituka of Stuttgart

1.89m, incredible pace, only 21yo

13 goals, 5 assists in only 2100 minutes

fucking shame about his knee

 

other options

[Vesper 27,435]

On 17/04/2021 at 21:15, Jason said:

He's now 9th on the list, level with Kerry Dixon on 420. Will finish the season in 8th and potentially 7th next season.

Chopper's record is untouchable likely

[Jase 43,479]

5 hours ago, Vesper said:

I had the perfect one, but he just blew his knee out 3 weeks ago 😪

a RMF/RWB hybrid

Silas Wamangituka of Stuttgart

1.89m, incredible pace, only 21yo

13 goals, 5 assists in only 2100 minutes

fucking shame about his knee

 

other options

A lot of unknowns there. This is a problem when using the back 3 system. Not a lot of LWB or RWB specialists around. 

[Tomo 21,685]

On 25/04/2021 at 06:53, Jason said:

That would certainly cause a headache in regards to how we manage the resources.

And who are the choices for RWB? I can only think of one in Hakimi but I doubt Inter would sell him, especially if Conte sticks around.

 

16 minutes ago, Jason said:

A lot of unknowns there. This is a problem when using the back 3 system. Not a lot of LWB or RWB specialists around. 

There's no/barely such thing as a specialist in that position really, it's primarily a position for failed/unconvincing wingers to shine (Moses prime example).

Edited April 26, 2021 by Tomo

[Magic Lamps 11,473]

10 minutes ago, Tomo said:

 

There's no/barely such thing as a specialist in that position really, it's primarily a position for failed/unconvincing wingers to shine (Moses prime example).

RJ and Chilwell are both proficient and neither are failed wingers. I think a good, pacy, industrious fullback can easily adopt to playing full time wing back. An average winger however can indeed compensate his lack of attacking pizzazz with hard work and tactical discipline to excel in wingback positions.

[Jase 43,479]

11 minutes ago, Tomo said:

There's no/barely such thing as a specialist in that position really, it's primarily a position for failed/unconvincing wingers to shine (Moses prime example).

Was Alonso a failed winger? 

Think it's because the back 3 was dead for so long that players weren't brought up playing through that system. It was only when Conte came along and started having success with the back 3 that it's become fashionable again. 

[Tomo 21,685]

13 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

RJ and Chilwell are both proficient and neither are failed wingers. I think a good, pacy, industrious fullback can easily adopt to playing full time wing back. An average winger however can indeed compensate his lack of attacking pizzazz with hard work and tactical discipline to excel in wingback positions.

I think long term (especially Vs the shit house sides in the league) atleast one will need to drop back into a hybrid position for me.

Short term it's okay especially with all the do or die games coming up but I feel it's too much closer to back five than three with both those two on.