Filipe Luís

[Jase 43,479]

It's not an issue because even without any competitive football except 10 mins at Everton, he was fit enough to start twice on successive occasions for one of the world's most high profile NTs against 2 others who gave them a run for their money. He was part of the side that kept clean sheets both times with a comparatively much weaker defensive line (who he's seldom played with before i.e. no harmony) when compared to Chelsea's. I guess I'm trying to say he slotted in very well. With those games and an adequate rest behind him, why should his match fitness not be good enough to take on a decent albeit unspectacular side?

Playing in two friendly games and competitive matches are two different things altogether. There is nothing to lose on one side while a lot on the other. And about Schalke being unspectacular, sure they aren't a great side but I'm sure most had thought the same about Basel last season and look what happened.

[Madmax 9,219]

Playing in two friendly games and competitive matches are two different things altogether. There is nothing to lose on one side while a lot on the other. And about Schalke being unspectacular, sure they aren't a great side but I'm sure most had thought the same about Basel last season and look what happened.

Nobody who watched the Colombia game would tell you it was actually played like a friendly.

We lost to Basel ... good thing we're actually playing Schalke, then. We did beat them 3-0 twice, after all. And with a much weaker squad. Thankfully Luis will be playing with Costa, Matic and Fab; not Torres, Mikel and Lampard.

Anyway I think it's best to agree to disagree on this one. I'll quote you when he starts this time next week

[Jase 43,479]

Nobody who watched the Colombia game would tell you it was actually played like a friendly.

We lost to Basel ... good thing we're actually playing Schalke, then. We did beat them 3-0 twice, after all. And with a much weaker squad. Thankfully Luis will be playing with Costa, Matic and Fab; not Torres, Mikel and Lampard.

Anyway I think it's best to agree to disagree on this one. I'll quote you when he starts this time next week

Should even put a bet then.

[Madmax 9,219]

Should even put a bet then.

If I win, I get to be mod for a day. If not, I don't.

[Tomo 21,736]

Playing in two friendly games and competitive matches are two different things altogether. There is nothing to lose on one side while a lot on the other. And about Schalke being unspectacular, sure they aren't a great side but I'm sure most had thought the same about Basel last season and look what happened.

The CL group stage is the best time to take calculated percentage risks, were need to rotate to keep players fresh, after all we only have 5 senior defenders and after that were down to teenagers, so we can't risk any of them burning out.

[Jase 43,479]

If I win, I get to be mod for a day. If not, I don't.

If that is the bet, you would have to ask Jim or Thor.

The CL group stage is the best time to take calculated percentage risks, were need to rotate to keep players fresh, after all we only have 5 senior defenders and after that were down to teenagers, so we can't risk any of them burning out.

If we were playing Maribor first, then I would definitely agree with the change but since it's Schalke, I don't think it's best time to take calculated risks until we secure qualification.

[Styles 9,790]

I don't really understand how playing Luis would be a risk. Luis doesn't need to be eased in neither does he need to play soft games and be protected.

I've read around online with some people even suggesting he wouldn't be able to cope with Nathan Dyer...what? I don't know why and how he's started to develop this reputation as a defensively-weak player and/or potential liability. The way some people talk you'd think we signed Bosingwa again.

[Tomo 21,736]

The way some people talk you'd think we signed Bosingwa again.

Don't even joke about that

Although with Torres gone there isn't a single player in our squad worth complaining about, seems to good to be true, i feel like im going cold Turkey

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

I don't really understand how playing Luis would be a risk. Luis doesn't need to be eased in neither does he need to play soft games and be protected.

I've read around online with some people even suggesting he wouldn't be able to cope with Nathan Dyer...what? I don't know why and how he's started to develop this reputation as a defensively-weak player and/or potential liability. The way some people talk you'd think we signed Bosingwa again.

It won't. He's been the best LB in the world for a couple years now and has played with a similar defence and playing style in Atletico. The only thing keeping him out is Ivanovic's supreme form and Azpilicueta's defensive resilience.

[Styles 9,790]

Don't even joke about that

Although with Torres gone there isn't a single player in our squad worth complaining about, seems to good to be true, i feel like im going cold Turkey

Bosingwa was a better CB than he was RB. His performance at Camp Nou didn't go unnoticed, we were using him wrong the whole time

[Styles 9,790]

It won't. He's been the best LB in the world for a couple years now and has played with a similar defence and playing style in Atletico. The only thing keeping him out is Ivanovic's supreme form and Azpilicueta's defensive resilience.

Very true. Azpi is a brilliant defender, but Luis needs to be given a chance soon because he has the ability to contribute more going forward. I really don't think there would be that much of a drop-off in terms of defensive quality.

[iseah100 5,612]

Why does Luis need to be eased in? He's one of the best LB's in the world, he can play immediately and make an impact.

[Barbara 15,149]

The main reason I'm absolutely SURE he'll start against Schalke unless he has a physical issue is because this is a guy who's reached an UCL final last season. He has Europe experience (not saying Azpili doesn't) and football in Europe is NEVER as physical as in England. So it's perfect, he has the experience and the quality and he won't be demanded physically (where he seems to still be struggling to catch up) as he would in the league. I mean, how those two things don't make him the perfect scenario for him to start? Where are the risks that I fail to see? I see advantages actually.

And what defense harmony are we talking about here in the first place? If anything, our defense hasn't been as harmonic as it used to be, we failed in all goals we've conceded this season - except Etoo's in my opinion )although José disagrees about that goal) and we could have conceded two more against Leicester hasn't Thibaut been brilliant. We've changed systems, the defense is still adapting, as well as the midfield, and our players aren't there yet fitness wise. If anything this 'harmony' needs to go away and the consistency from last season to come back (as much as it's possible with the new system in charge - that will undoubtedly affect us defensively to a certain extend).

The more I read Jason's posts about this harmony thing, the less it makes sense for me. And my two points from the previous paragraph stand... So I'll settle for agreeing to disagree.

[LAB 1,030]

He is definitely starting vs Schalke. And Brana should be the other one based on current form imo.

[Stats 7,060]

As much as I appreciate Azpilicueta's performances at LB, when Luis cements his place at LB I really think we are going to see how much of an improvement he adds in that position. Especially going forward. His defensive game is very solid as well.

[Chelsea? 892]

its not so much as him needing to be eased in... It's just that Azpi hasn't done anything wrong defensively to deserve to be benched. He'll get his chance, hopefully Eden plays LW that day too

[BlueLyon 9,359]

How is he not 'physical' enough? What bs is that? If anyone saw him, you could say he is one of most physical LBs out there atm. He is also tall as fuck (something like 1,88m)...and his style back at Atletico was quite physical as he was playing in certain Simeone system.

Maybe he lacks bit of fitness after realy long and difficult season or he just didnt catch up to the life in PL as was expected yet.

But he can start against swansea or Schalke...why couldnt he? He is top LB and 29y.o. with plenty of experience. If he gets playtime he will do his job just fine.

[Mechromancer 262]

Maybe he lacks bit of fitness .

Pretty much this.