Filipe Luís

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Pretty much. Ivanovic doesn't close the winger down quickly enough, allows the cross in and from Zouma's clearance Luis also doesn't close the opposition down quickly enough. They manage to score and Luis is thus hauled off and dropped for the subsequent CL match. Never mind that Ivanovic did the same thing and if you remember the chance Maribor had soon after scoring where they missed an open goal opportunity, Ivanovic switched off from the cross.

Yep you could even see the look on his face when he smacked luis on the back coming off. Obviously Luis has a much shorter leash for him than Ivanovic.

[iseah100 5,612]

If Azpi had played on the right vs United and City we wouldn't have dropped points.

Don't compare Ash to Luis, Luis right now is better than Ash was last year. Ash got burned by Robbem vs Bayern with Roma. Luis doesn't get burned.

[Jase 43,479]

If Azpi had played on the right vs United and City we wouldn't have dropped points.

Don't compare Ash to Luis, Luis right now is better than Ash was last year. Ash got burned by Robbem vs Bayern with Roma. Luis doesn't get burned.

Didn't Luis get owned by Zaha in the Palace game?

[iseah100 5,612]

Didn't Luis get owned by Zaha in the Palace game?

Pish posh.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ivanovic has been given years to adjust to the RB role. He still hasn't learned how to close players down quickly, deal with diagonal balls and how not to lose concentration.

Iva has other qualities he brings, plus it's not like we've had world class fullbacks during his time here.

Speaking if Iva, he wasn't given opportunities to adjust when he first came either. He was no where near even the bench for a few good months and had to work his butt off in training and take the chance he was given when it came.

Luis' first real chance was Azpi's suspension where he had 4 starts in a row and he did not show that he is better than Cesar so he'll have to wait for the next chance.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

IMO Iva does fine, but not THAT fine that Mou couldnt even give one or two games with Azpi and Luis at back.

Its all down to Mou pick, his prefering of solid defense, rather making an experiment in attacking sense. And last CL game will be perfect chance for that. Unless he will give Ake a run. That would be acceptable too.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

Iva has other qualities he brings, plus it's not like we've had world class fullbacks during his time here.

Speaking if Iva, he wasn't given opportunities to adjust when he first came either. He was no where near even the bench for a few good months and had to work his butt off in training and take the chance he was given when it came.

Luis' first real chance was Azpi's suspension where he had 4 starts in a row and he did not show that he is better than Cesar so he'll have to wait for the next chance.

The thing with Dave is that he has been so good, considered best defender in the league by Neville, how can anyone beat that? it is like saying Ronaldo is injured so Isco should play in his play, yep he will score a couple of goals here and there but ultimately he can't outplace Ronaldo because CR7 is just way better. I think atm Luis got more chance of displacing Iva than Dave, maybe with Dave move to RB and Luis LB. That or a serious injury to Dave(hopefully never happens but football is like that)

[WNDS 502]

The thing with Dave is that he has been so good, considered best defender in the league by Neville, how can anyone beat that? it is like saying Ronaldo is injured so Isco should play in his play, yep he will score a couple of goals here and there but ultimately he can't outplace Ronaldo because CR7 is just way better. I think atm Luis got more chance of displacing Iva than Dave, maybe with Dave move to RB and Luis LB. That or a serious injury to Dave(hopefully never happens but football is like that)

Azpi probably IS the best defensive full-back in the league, but that alone isn't really much help for us against teams that decide to use the same defensive setup as Sunderland did; against those teams, the LB needs to attack more than defend. The LB has to be more willing and able to move into attacking positions to stretch play and provide crosses, as well as being capable of getting involved in the general build-up play with fast and ambitious passing on the ground.

After this Sunderland performance, more sides are now going to sit back on the edge of their box and defend narrow against us; Azpi's game at LB is simply not suited to helping us break the opposition down in these scenarios, and they know it.

Your Ronaldo-Isco/Azpi-Luis analogy is flawed when applied to games like these. If anything, Luis is 'Ronaldo' (the better attacker/less defensively sound) whilst Azpi is 'Isco'.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Will never understand why he doesn't start these sort of games, was quality when he came on.

[iseah100 5,612]

Will never understand why he doesn't start these sort of games, was quality when he came on.

Cause Jose is a stubborn ass guy.

[Eidur the Spider 4,515]

Great cameo, should be our starting left back. End of.

[Stats 7,136]

Cause Jose is a stubborn ass guy.

If we were like United without no Europe or cup competitions then maybe I could understand but when we are involved on all fronts, it is ridiculous why he is not given more starts. On balance of things, he has done really well in a Chelsea shirt.

[Fernando 6,585]

Will never understand why he doesn't start these sort of games, was quality when he came on.

Well I guess this was just Mourinho admitting he was wrong.

Because I never really seen LB for LB from Mourinho at Chelsea.

Those was Carlo tactic and they where ugly at times.

This time it wasn't that bad.

And I think this (hopefully) is the start of Felipe at LB.

[The Chels 2,502]

What I like most about Luis is his intelligent pressing. He was one of the few players to recover the ball high up the pitch which led to a good chance. I love that Atleti style of play.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Will never understand why he doesn't start these sort of games, was quality when he came on.

Watch the second goal. If he was properly position or at least aware of who was behind him he would and should stop the ball to Cisse. Not saying it's all his fault, but Azpi provides defensive solidness that Luis is yet to show.