Ricardo Rodriguez

[didierforever 7,349]

Just my opinion but I wonder if the reason Azpi is playing LB has more to do with Cole's decline rather than Brana's ascension? I mean if you rank our FB's I'd say its

Azpi

Brana

Cole

Its definitely easier to convert a RB to LB than to convert a CB to a RB to a LB...

I believe we're using Azpi at LB until we can get one in the next window which will allow Azpi to play RB and Brana to be our Utility defender...

Maybe but lets not forget that jose still played iva as a rv even when he continued to play a hapless cole week in and week out at the start of the season. Iva pretty much looks like jose's no. 1 rb.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

And what did Real Madrid win last year?

Underestimating the importance of positions because games are won in the middle of the park (when they can also be lost on the flanks) is ridiculous in my view. It's when you get stability in those positions that you get really good teams, and in Shaw and Azpi we'd be set for a decade.

Now you might think Rodriguez is better, and at this point in time he may well be. But Shaw has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years to the point where he's made the national squad by the age of 18. I don't see any reason why that shouldn't continue, indeed his work ethic is incredibly good. Physically he's way beyond his years and his technique is good too.

But it comes back to who he is that's key for me. I honestly don't care if he's a bit behind a guy who is 3 years older and who has never played in the Premier League before. Luke Shaw supports Chelsea and he's English, and that actually matters. It matters to the point where I'd be happy for the club to pay a premium for him.

As for my age, well I'm old enough to have seen enough Darren Barnards, Anthony Barness's, Jon Harley's, Terry Phelans, Graeme Le Sauxs and Ashley Coles for me to look at Luke Shaw and think he's got everything it takes to be a Chelsea and England legend if he continues as he has done. He is the one guy I'd be gutted to see go to another English club.

So now because one of the best teams in the world last year didn't win a trophy is solely because Essien played RB for them? There can only be one winner they fell short, I doubt thats because of Essien... but I digress.

We'd also be set with Azpi and Rodriguez, probably even more so if you were to ask me! But to address the first part of your statement, I swear its like you're only seeing half of what I wrote. The FB position is important... Its just not the most valuable position on the pitch. I have never seen a LB go to any team for more than 30M its just the truth.

Okay so for you Shaw is the better by because he is EPL trained and a Chelsea supporter? To me, the whole EPL trained thing is overused. The best players in the EPL aren't EPL trained. Its about buying value which is what we've done since the Torres debacle. I love the fact Shaw is a Chelsea supporter, I want him! I just don't want him for anywhere near 20m. If it comes down to paying that for a LB I'll take the current form player over the potential player any day of the week.

Cool, lets just carry on conversing at the level of our age group. I don't believe in paying over the odds on potential... Had this been 2009? SURE sign him up!!! But now, Sorry 20M for a LB with potential is madness... He will be good, of that I have no doubt, its just whether he is good enough to be world class and if he can be considered the best at his position now. I'm just not sure.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Maybe but lets not forget that jose still played iva as a rv even when he continued to play a hapless cole week in and week out at the start of the season. Iva pretty much looks like jose's no. 1 rb.

You could be right. I'm just not sure...

[The only place to be 11,313]

So now because one of the best teams in the world last year didn't win a trophy is solely because Essien played RB for them? There can only be one winner they fell short, I doubt thats because of Essien... but I digress.

We'd also be set with Azpi and Rodriguez, probably even more so if you were to ask me! But to address the first part of your statement, I swear its like you're only seeing half of what I wrote. The FB position is important... Its just not the most valuable position on the pitch. I have never seen a LB go to any team for more than 30M its just the truth.

Okay so for you Shaw is the better by because he is EPL trained and a Chelsea supporter? To me, the whole EPL trained thing is overused. The best players in the EPL aren't EPL trained. Its about buying value which is what we've done since the Torres debacle. I love the fact Shaw is a Chelsea supporter, I want him! I just don't want him for anywhere near 20m. If it comes down to paying that for a LB I'll take the current form player over the potential player any day of the week.

Cool, lets just carry on conversing at the level of our age group. I don't believe in paying over the odds on potential... Had this been 2009? SURE sign him up!!! But now, Sorry 20M for a LB with potential is madness... He will be good, of that I have no doubt, its just whether he is good enough to be world class and if he can be considered the best at his position now. I'm just not sure.

It's not just potential. He's already a very good player who will hopefully continue his progress in our team. Look, I've put why I think we should sign Shaw and you obviously have concerns over the price. If he actually gives us 10-12 years of service then the price is actually not that bad and we get another English player in the squad.

He's exactly the type of talent we should be looking to get if we can, he comes from good stock and he's a proper Chelsea lad. I honestly don't know how anyone could seriously want Rodriguez over him but that's up to them.

And the reason Azpi is playing at left-back is because Cole has been poor and Azpi took his chance well.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Shaw is English which makes him home-grown for Champions League, a huge asset.

He's been one of the best left backs in the Premiership this season where Rodriguez hasn't played in it yet.

Shaw is a Chelsea fan, it's his dream to play for the club which you can bank that he'll always show passion and up for the fight.

Can't believe people are even discussing which one to go for.

If you're referring to me than a few things you need to consider.

I want Shaw just not for anything more than 18m. Anything more than that is overpayment. My opinion.

Homegrown is nice to have but its not essential, in the champions league it means more if he can actually play at that level for one of the top 5 teams in the world.

Enough with the feel good story about him loving Chelsea... If he can't play at this level what does it matter if he grew up a Chelsea fan?

The difference between our arguments are you want him at all costs, you believe he is ready to play at the highest level in europe. I believe he has potential but his true value isn't anywhere near 20m. I need more than him being a fan and English for him to be valued at 20M

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

It's not just potential. He's already a very good player who will hopefully continue his progress in our team. Look, I've put why I think we should sign Shaw and you obviously have concerns over the price. If he actually gives us 10-12 years of service then the price is actually not that bad and we get another English player in the squad.

He's exactly the type of talent we should be looking to get if we can, he comes from good stock and he's a proper Chelsea lad. I honestly don't know how anyone could seriously want Rodriguez over him but that's up to them.

And the reason Azpi is playing at left-back is because Cole has been poor and Azpi took his chance well.

I love the fact Shaw is a Chelsea supporter... I've said about a million times I wan BOTH. If it came down to one or the other I'd take the guy who is not just shown potential but is actually playing at an elite level for the money.

You seem to think that at his current level, Shaw is good enough to play for one of the top sides in the world and feature in the Champions league. I'm not so sure whereas I am Rodriguez is that player based on what I've seen of him. Watch him play and then let me know what you think... Put aside the nationality and just look at how they play, Rodriguez is without a doubt the better player and I really like Shaw...

[The only place to be 11,313]

I love the fact Shaw is a Chelsea supporter... I've said about a million times I wan BOTH. If it came down to one or the other I'd take the guy who is not just show potential but is actually playing at an elite level for the money.

You seem to think that at his current level, Shaw is good enough to play for one of the top sides in the world and feature in the Champions league. I'm not so sure whereas I am Rodriguez is that player based on what I've seen of him. Watch him play and then let me know what you think... Put aside the nationality and just look at how they play, Rodriguez is without a doubt the better player and I really like Shaw...

Buying both is ridiculous. It's not an option. It won't happen.

Look, I've said my bit. I look at Shaw and based on my experiences of seeing left-backs come and go I think he's definitely one for the future. You make it sound like Rodriguez is already an elite player and he's quite simply not. His price, whatever it is, is based on potential almost as much as Shaw's. In fact their prices are probably the same EXCEPT there's an English tax levied on Shaw and that's just one of those things.

I'd be delighted seeing him here and gutted seeing him anywhere else and whilst I'm sure you think it's 'nice' that he's English and it's quaint that we all want to see a young, exciting English talent in our team, for me it's one of the great pleasures of supporting a club. To see a young guy who is from a Chelsea stronghold, who loves this club get a chance to play for it....well that's something most supporters would be clamouring for.

Enough with the feel good story about him loving Chelsea... If he can't play at this level what does it matter if he grew up a Chelsea fan?

He can play at Premier League level....can Rodriguez? Maybe he's just another player at a mid-table German club who looks good in the Bundesliga, like De Bruyne.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Buying both is ridiculous. It's not an option. It won't happen.

Look, I've said my bit. I look at Shaw and based on my experiences of seeing left-backs come and go I think he's definitely one for the future. You make it sound like Rodriguez is already an elite player and he's quite simply not. His price, whatever it is, is based on potential almost as much as Shaw's. In fact their prices are probably the same EXCEPT there's an English tax levied on Shaw and that's just one of those things.

I'd be delighted seeing him here and gutted seeing him anywhere else and whilst I'm sure you think it's 'nice' that he's English and it's quaint that we all want to see a young, exciting English talent in our team, for me it's one of the great pleasures of supporting a club. To see a young guy who is from a Chelsea stronghold, who loves this club get a chance to play for it....well that's something most supporters would be clamouring for.

He can play at Premier League level....can Rodriguez? Maybe he's just another player at a mid-table German club who looks good in the Bundesliga, like De Bruyne.

Not ridiculous just not likely. You're forgetting this is a club that bought 5 no.10's and Schurrle, Marin and Moses...

Again, if it came down to Shaw and Rodriguez I'd take Ricardo based on what I've seen. I've watched him against Bayern, Dortmund, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Leverkusen and in those games I can assure you he was right up there as one of the best players in the match... Not exaggerating AT ALL! He is that good...

DeBruyne is without a doubt good enough for the Premier league just not good enough for the way Chelsea want to play... much like how Mata wasn't, let's not go off the deep end.

If I told you that in every game I saw Rodriguez in he played exactly like this youtube video what would you say?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIHe9by9tFA

[nyikolajevics 2,706]

I think we should go for Shaw, even if he's twice as expensive as Rodriguez. Sturridge and Turnbull left us, Moses and Ash will be gone, Lampard is likely to leave us too. Terry is not going to be younger and we're running out of homegrown players.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Not ridiculous just not likely. You're forgetting this is a club that bought 5 no.10's and Schurrle, Marin and Moses...

Again, if it came down to Shaw and Rodriguez I'd take Ricardo based on what I've seen. I've watched him against Bayern, Dortmund, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Leverkusen and in those games I can assure you he was right up there as one of the best players in the match... Not exaggerating AT ALL! He is that good...

DeBruyne is without a doubt good enough for the Premier league just not good enough for the way Chelsea want to play... much like how Mata wasn't, let's not go off the deep end.

If I told you that in every game I saw Rodriguez in he played exactly like this youtube video what would you say?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIHe9by9tFA

No, it's fucking ridiculous. It won't happen.

I've seen Rodriguez play and he's a good player. I've seen Shaw too and I've watched him progress at amazing pace. He will be a better player than Rodriguez in my view and he's got all those intangibles. You have your view, I have mine.

Fortunately it would appear the club agrees with me.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

No, it's fucking ridiculous. It won't happen.

I've seen Rodriguez play and he's a good player. I've seen Shaw too and I've watched him progress at amazing pace. He will be a better player than Rodriguez in my view and he's got all those intangibles. You have your view, I have mine.

Fortunately it would appear the club agrees with me.

I'm not so sure of that.

We have differing opinions obviously... I wouldn't be disappointed with Shaw.

[peter_amb 54]

I'm not so sure of that.

We have differing opinions obviously... I wouldn't be disappointed with Shaw.

We need homegrown players... Do you not understand? Cole and lampard are probably going to leave at the end of the season... Who do you expect us to buy to fill the quota?

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

We need homegrown players... Do you not understand? Cole and lampard are probably going to leave at the end of the season... Who do you expect us to buy to fill the quota?

Homegrown players don't have to be on the pitch... Do YOU not understand that? Bertrand is homegrown.

[peter_amb 54]

So you expect us to buy average English players to sit on the bench?

Rodriguez will be sold for £20m+. Wolfsburg isn't a club in financial trouble.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

So you expect us to buy average English players to sit on the bench?

Rodriguez will be sold for £20m+. Wolfsburg isn't a club in financial trouble.

What are you talking about?

I expect us to buy talent that can play on a top 5 side in the world. I expect us to DEVELOP homegrown talent instead of overpaying for English potential.

[Shane 2,275]

If you're referring to me than a few things you need to consider.

I want Shaw just not for anything more than 18m. Anything more than that is overpayment. My opinion.

Homegrown is nice to have but its not essential, in the champions league it means more if he can actually play at that level for one of the top 5 teams in the world.

Enough with the feel good story about him loving Chelsea... If he can't play at this level what does it matter if he grew up a Chelsea fan?

The difference between our arguments are you want him at all costs, you believe he is ready to play at the highest level in europe. I believe he has potential but his true value isn't anywhere near 20m. I need more than him being a fan and English for him to be valued at 20M

Well if you need that then you obviously having watched much of him this season then mate. Shaw has been probably the best left back in the league this season, and at 18 its clear that he is a player who can fit right in and start away, and get better and better as his Chelsea career goes on.

About him being a fan? Its nice to know that he's one of us, and it gives me the thought in knowing that he'll give 110% no matter what. I'm not saying Rodriguez won't, but it'll always mean that bit more to Shaw, and he'll be very driven to improve his game. Another asset is that he speaks English, and he'll have JT along side him guiding him.

I'm convinced we're going to get Shaw and it will be an outstanding signing. He's been fantastic for Southampton this season and given every indication that he deserves to play at a higher level.

[peter_amb 54]

What are you talking about?

I expect us to buy talent that can play on a top 5 side in the world. I expect us to DEVELOP homegrown talent instead of overpaying for English potential.

When was the last time a homegrown player was developed by us who was consistently a squad player? Bertrand? In what, 10 years....

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Well if you need that then you obviously having watched much of him this season then mate. Shaw has been probably the best left back in the league this season, and at 18 its clear that he is a player who can fit right in and start away, and get better and better as his Chelsea career goes on.

About him being a fan? Its nice to know that he's one of us, and it gives me the thought in knowing that he'll give 110% no matter what. I'm not saying Rodriguez won't, but it'll always mean that bit more to Shaw, and he'll be very driven to improve his game. Another asset is that he speaks English, and he'll have JT along side him guiding him.

I'm convinced we're going to get Shaw and it will be an outstanding signing. He's been fantastic for Southampton this season and given every indication that he deserves to play at a higher level.

How many world class LB's are there in the EPL right now? just because he is arguably one of the better LB's doesn't make him a 20m+ player in my estimation. He is considered such because he is English first and has potential...

We may well go for Shaw, I'm not against it either. If its anywhere near 20m+ I will be though... He's got potential but his actual value isn't there.

Also I agree he can play at a higher level its what level that is that I'm debating, particularly for the money. He's good, just not World Class good in my humble opinion

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

When was the last time a homegrown player was developed by us who was consistently a squad player? Bertrand? In what, 10 years....

So what? Why is that important? who's to say Shaw will be good enough to play at that level anyway?

[peter_amb 54]

So what? Why is that important? who's to say Shaw will be good enough to play at that level anyway?

Because we need homegrown players and we're not developing anyone ourselves...

Same can be said for Rodriguez. How do we know he'll adapt to the English game? You seem to forget that he struggled a lot when he first joined wolfsburg.