Best Centre-Back Pairing?

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

Ivanovic = bullshit this year.

Terry = falling to pieces, surprised hes in one piece still.

Luiz = crazy, can play good for 89 minutes then shoot himself in the foot in the 90th minute. His random long passes to nobody are very annoying too.

Cahill = average CB, gives his all at least, dependable but not a top quality defender.

Best partnership probably is Luiz and Terry.

Need to get a quality center back in soon though. Either this summer or next.

[The Skipper 20,609]

I've said this from the beginning of the season, our best CB partnership (by far IMO) is Luiz and Terry - they compliment each other well. IMO we would've had a far sturdier defence had both been fit for the majority of the season and paired for the majority of the season.

Only defenders that can come out and say they've had a decent and quite consistent season this year IMO are Luiz and Azpilicueta (and maybe A. Cole to a certain extent) which is a big reason as to why we've been bad defensively this season. I can't really blame them though, I think individually we have one of the best defensive set in the PL but the team's defensive cohesion this season hasn't been good enough (that's from attack to midfield to defence).

Whoever's our coach next season will have a serious look into that hopefully.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

So the question remains, who in particular should we go after that can complement Luiz?

Hummels would be perfect!

[Santiago. 1,500]

Hummels would be perfect!

How? What about the language barrier between him and Luiz? Both of them like to push forward and make reckless challenges. Would they really complement one another?

[The only place to be 11,313]

How? What about the language barrier between him and Luiz? Both of them like to push forward and make reckless challenges. Would they really complement one another?

A good point. Hummels is a great player but he does like to bring the ball out when we need someone who's a bit more utilitarian and basic.

[Ollie 4,400]

Ivanovic was at fault for the first goal yesterday by completely ignoring Rodriguez's run in behind him but all in all they did ok. There was obviously nothing they could do about the FK, Cech practically gave Lambert the whole goal to aim for. Rubbish goalkeeping. I do feel a lot more comfortable when Luiz plays, wherever he plays and i never thought i'd say that. We missed Luiz yesterday, i love the way he drives the team. Future captain imo.

[karaclouds 47]

Hummels would be perfect!

As much as I rate Hummels highly, he wouldn't compliment Luiz; both play with the intention of bring the ball up the field and creating attack. On the other Hummels' partner Subotic would probably suit Luiz, as he fits behind. If someone like him or similar would be brought in during next season's campaign, then I think it would be the best center back pairing. But if Luiz is attacking, then one of the holding midfielders needs to drop back a little ( I think Ramires did it in some games - I'll check). My strongest pairing from the list is Terry and Luiz, but Terry's injuries are catching up and its difficult to regain fitness when once before he was untouchable. (he should be here next season as figure to look up and to understand exactly what kind of passion and attitude Chelsea has). Great and knowledgable article Strike, totally forgot that Luiz and Iva had even partnered this season!!

[Strike 7,478]

As much as I rate Hummels highly, he wouldn't compliment Luiz; both play with the intention of bring the ball up the field and creating attack. On the other Hummels' partner Subotic would probably suit Luiz, as he fits behind. If someone like him or similar would be brought in during next season's campaign, then I think it would be the best center back pairing. But if Luiz is attacking, then one of the holding midfielders needs to drop back a little ( I think Ramires did it in some games - I'll check). My strongest pairing from the list is Terry and Luiz, but Terry's injuries are catching up and its difficult to regain fitness when once before he was untouchable. (he should be here next season as figure to look up and to understand exactly what kind of passion and attitude Chelsea has). Great and knowledgable article Strike, totally forgot that Luiz and Iva had even partnered this season!!

Subotic contract runs down in 2014 as well. A more viable deal than Hummels

[Tomo 21,751]

Cahill and Luiz didn't even work in Munich, we were saved by the best goalkeeping performance i have ever seen.

Terry and Luiz is our most solid partnership, closely followed by Luiz and Ivanovic.

[Strike 7,478]

Cahill and Luiz didn't even work in Munich, we were saved by the best goalkeeping performance i have ever seen.

Terry and Luiz is our most solid partnership, closely followed by Luiz and Ivanovic.

Not sure Terry can play week in week out any more but we do have good options to cover

is having a firm first-choice CB pairing better than rotating CB's everygame? . Spurs, Man United, Man City all rotate their CB's now and I don't think it will affect the defence much as long as the combination selected is ok. need for cb's will change from facing West Ham to facing Wigan. that way it's good that we have 3-4 options to pick from, now

[Term-X 7,891]

Subotic contract runs down in 2014 as well. A more viable deal than Hummels

Thiago Silva had a contract until 2017 with AC Milan.

What we really need is a top quality scouting network to find a gem under the radar..

[Blue Armour 4,436]

Not sure Terry can play week in week out any more but we do have good options to cover

is having a firm first-choice CB pairing better than rotating CB's everygame? . Spurs, Man United, Man City all rotate their CB's now and I don't think it will affect the defence much as long as the combination selected is ok. need for cb's will change from facing West Ham to facing Wigan. that way it's good that we have 3-4 options to pick from, now

I think its always useful to have ONE established in-form CB that is part of the starting eleven in every game. And, make rotations in the other CB position. Back then JT was the first choice CB, and everyone other CB got used to his playing style. That way you can establish some sort of consistency to the back line and prevent weak pairings like Cahill-Luiz.

The downside is when the first-choice CB becomes injured, in which case you have to start the process all over.

[Strike 7,478]

Thiago Silva had a contract until 2017 with AC Milan.

What we really need is a top quality scouting network to find a gem under the radar..

yes. i would love a quality unheralded CB at the club. Someone like Nastasic or Caulker.

[robdog 2,084]

for my money it depends on the opponent. For the real physical sides like Stoke or Norwich, I rather see Brana-JT. For Fineness sides, I rather see Luiz-Cahill. & leave Dave on the right, who has made an excellent transition from Ligue 1 to the EPL.

[aerlgenx 49]

Cahill and Terry.. I like Luiz playing DM..he attacks a lot..I think Cahill and Terry are solid at the back.. =)