Fullbacks

[Myself 793]

Back 4 for big games

Luis - Terry - Cahill - Azpilicueta (defensively better than Ivanovic, not bad at attacking)

For games where we can rest some players

Luis - Cahill - Ivanovic - Azpilicueta

Azpilicueta HAS to be a starter imo. feel so bad leaving out either one of them though

[Barbara 15,149]

Suddenly almost everyone would bench Azpi in favour of Iva who had great game though, but was average for big part last season in attack.

On other hand, Azpi was one of most consistent players, yet nobody remembers that smh...

I think Azpi, Luis should be fullbacks while Iva CB. Probably next to Terry.

Except you're using double standards here...

Iva was as solid defensively as Azpili - and both were average supporting the attack. While Azpili is slightly better linking up and crossing, Iva is miles and miles ahead of him in goal threat from set-pieces.

As I say all the time, it's okay to give stick for Iva for his nearly nonexistent offensive contributions (Monday was an exception, but then again he was much better under Carlo offensively than now), but it never ceases to amaze that Azpili's nearly zero contributions don't get the same amount of stick. The difference between them attacking from the wings is really a small one, whereas Ivanovic is always good in set-pieces. So while I absolutely love Azpili, with Luís here, I'd go with Luís and Iva when Luís is fully adapted or at least more comfortable. Everybody remembers how consistent Azpili was - mostly defending - yet nobody mentions how consistent Iva was...

Also I'm one of those few people who prefers Iva as a FB rather than a CB although I do expect him to play an important role as a CB. Someone mentioned above and it may actually make sense: maybe the reason why our defense doesn't look as good as last year is because Terry + Cahill works wonders when they have plenty of coverage ahead of them and around them. Maybe now we're going for a more offensive style they won't look as solid. It's still too early to say, but that's definitely one of the possible reasons.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Except you're using double standards here...

Iva was as solid defensively as Azpili - and both were average supporting the attack. While Azpili is slightly better linking up and crossing, Iva is miles and miles ahead of him in goal threat from set-pieces.

As I say all the time, it's okay to give stick for Iva for his nearly nonexistent offensive contributions (Monday was an exception, but then again he was much better under Carlo offensively than now), but it never ceases to amaze that Azpili's nearly zero contributions don't get the same amount of stick. The difference between them attacking from the wings is really a small one, whereas Ivanovic is always good in set-pieces. So while I absolutely love Azpili, with Luís here, I'd go with Luís and Iva when Luís is fully adapted or at least more comfortable. Everybody remembers how consistent Azpili was - mostly defending - yet nobody mentions how consistent Iva was...

I don't know, tbh. I believe Azpilicueta is much, much better as an attacking threat when playing his real position, RB, than Ivanovic. Based on what I saw when he played there under Benitez, his overlaps were fantastic. The difference between them attacking from the wings is much more than a small one. It's a little unfair to criticize Azpilicueta's "offensive contributions" when he was playing most of last season on the wrong flank. He is also as solid defensively, if not more solid than Ivanovic, who sometimes gets embarrassed when he comes up against top wingers and let's a lot of crosses come through from his flank. Brana is stronger and obviously a better aerial threat, but that's about it.

Either way, once Filipe Luis has fully settled in, I expect to see Azpilicueta take Ivanovic's place at RB.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Suddenly almost everyone would bench Azpi in favour of Iva who had great game though, but was average for big part last season in attack.

On other hand, Azpi was one of most consistent players, yet nobody remembers that smh...

I think Azpi, Luis should be fullbacks while Iva CB. Probably next to Terry.

Yes, everyone has forgotten that Azpi was one of our most consistent players....oh, smh.

How about people are recognising that there's competition for spots in our squad and they're selecting them based on form?

It was quite obvious that Filipe and Azpi were going to be first choices,

That was never 'obvious' because most people recognise that Ivanovic is a good player whom Mourinho likes a lot. He adds a different dimension to our play. The players who might be first choice for one game won't be for others.

[LAB 1,030]

I don't think Iva was as solid as Azpi defensively last season.

Goals conceded 13/14:

Even if their difference in performance is not a direct analogy of the picture above, still it's an obvious one.