Filipe Luís

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

I'm calling Luis to start over Ivan, who has been underperforming quite a bit recently both in defense and attack.

And this is fair. Ivanovic has been living on early goal scoring form for too long at this point. Mourinho seems to love him though.

[The Skipper 20,609]

I'm calling Luis to start over Ivan, who has been underperforming quite a bit recently both in defense and attack.

This is it. No one is asking for Azpi to be dropped.

[The Chels 2,502]

And this is fair. Ivanovic has been living on early goal scoring form for too long at this point. Mourinho seems to love him though.

Mourinho's obsession with Ivanovic is also hindering Azpi's development. He has the potential to become a complete and truly world class FB (which Ivanovic is not despite all the plaudits he somehow receives) who excels at defending and attacking but he will never reach the heights he can if he continues playing at LB, as his attacking abilities are heavily restricted. Azpi's ceiling as a RB is so much higher than Ivanovic's imo.

[Barbara 15,149]

Mourinho's obsession with Ivanovic is also hindering Azpi's development. He has the potential to become a complete and truly world class FB (which Ivanovic is not despite all the plaudits he somehow receives) who excels at defending and attacking but he will never reach the heights he can if he continues playing at LB, as his attacking abilities are heavily restricted. Azpi's ceiling as a RB is so much higher than Ivanovic's imo.

well, a lot of people agree about Iva, actually. I've seen 3 or 4 teams of the half season so far and he's figured in all of them, no exception.

I think the thing with Iva is that he isn't as reliable defensively and makes mistakes all the time and it seems Mourinho just disregards it. Filipe does too, but it's held against him. I think Mourinho wanted to clone Azpili and have him in both wings.

When Luis gets at the top of his game defensively, Iva should leave the team, not Azpi, but I honestly don't see it happening. Unfortunately.

[The Chels 2,502]

well, a lot of people agree about Iva, actually. I've seen 3 or 4 teams of the half season so far and he's figured in all of them, no exception.

I think the thing with Iva is that he isn't as reliable defensively and makes mistakes all the time and it seems Mourinho just disregards it. Filipe does too, but it's held against him. I think Mourinho wanted to clone Azpili and have him in both wings.

When Luis gets at the top of his game defensively, Iva should leave the team, not Azpi, but I honestly don't see it happening. Unfortunately.

Ivanovic is chosen in lots of teams of the (half) season because his marauding runs are very obvious but his mistakes are not. People think that because he's part of Chelsea's defence he must be amazing defensively but he is a liability imo.

I remember against United away this season, Gary Neville was commentating and he mentioned that he didn't like how Ivanovic had his hands behind his back and kept backing off. He seemed genuinely surprised that Ivanovic would do that because like most people who don't watch him closely every game, he seems to be under the illusion that Ivanovic is a great defender. Also do you remember that clever corner routine Southampton had in the first half against us? The only reason we didn't concede was because Terry maintained his concentration at the back post. I would expect Luis, Azpi and probably Cahill to do the same but Ivanovic would almost certainly switch off in that situation, as past experience dictates.

I've been wanting to see Azpi at RB and Luis at LB in the PL for a long time but that won't happen unless Ivanovic is suspended or injured.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

As bad as this may come across, that Azpi injury was the best thing that could have happened for todays match.

Luis was running the show with Hazard and co. On that left wing the whole secons half. Ivan has been very poor of late in attack, and it kills me to see he's undroppable.

We may never see Luis-Azpi pairing at all this season on a consistent basis.

Would love to know what JM has against him, otherwise really happy with his play.

[Barbara 15,149]

Mourinho should suck it up and just start this guy in EVERY home game maybe except City and United...

We need his skills in the attack, we need someone to link up with Hazard, to offer a good cross. When he's more confident and settled I want to see him, not Iva, bombing forward in our counter attacks like a bullet.

He was very good today imo, don't remember one single mistake.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,057]

Mourinho should suck it up and just start this guy in EVERY home game maybe except City and United...

We need his skills in the attack, we need someone to link up with Hazard, to offer a good cross. When he's more confident and settled I want to see him, not Iva, bombing forward in our counter attacks like a bullet.

He was very good today imo, don't remember one single mistake.

I thought there were a few errors Barbara. I don't remember any well enough to describe them but I do remember noticing as they happened. In fact at one point my summary would have been that Luis was not having a good game, but he picked up.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Defensively he's very easy to beat when isolated one-on-one. When he's hunting down the opposition as part of a pack he's great, but when he's targeted he is a weak link, no doubt about it.

Going forward he's a joy to watch, very exciting. Even if he did accidentally block one of Hazard's shots yesterday

[Amblève. 4,995]

I thought there were a few errors Barbara. I don't remember any well enough to describe them but I do remember noticing as they happened. In fact at one point my summary would have been that Luis was not having a good game, but he picked up.

Thought so too. Luis was anything but good IMO, I remember him being beaten countless of times and not providing any better offense than Cesar (while also being unable to play a precise passes).

[The Chels 2,502]

Play a pressing game and Luis is fully in his element. Great performance.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

His best game in Chelsea shirt IMO. His ball control is actualy very good for full back.

[DYC. 7,542]

His best game in Chelsea shirt IMO. His ball control is actualy very good for full back.

More than very good for a fullback. He has the ball control of a proper wide man. But it's too bad he's slowed down quite a bit. He used to be more explosive, more agile and quicker. You can tell he's reaching 30. It makes him more vulnerable to direct wingers.

That said, I still think he's absolute class and should be a starter.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Great performance by him today. Definitely his best game for us so far. More of this, please.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Not that I would have anything against Luis signing, quite opposite, but it made me think why didnt we try to sign Baines. He was about same age, same price and english player who had realy good last season. And we gave them Lukaku, so it could be done.

Just wondering if Baines was ever an option for Mou as we were linked with him few times. He has been very poor this season in defending, so we probably dodged a bullet. But whole Everton is shit, but it has to be said, Baines certainly has best delivery in PL still.