Branislav Ivanovic

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

We need zouma as cb...

[manpe 10,861]

Just one question: On what basis does everyone assume that Baba would have a better game at LB than Zouma at RB?

Baba: Greater attacking impetus, more pace, more quality crosses, ability to play fullbacks in natural positions.

Zouma: .... height, strength.

I'm not a fan of the height argument, I'd much rather Baba played so we would start resembling an actual football team instead of trying to look like some Rugby thugs.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Because he is natural attacking fullback, and if he starts that means that Azpi will start at RB wich means we will finally have 2 fullbacks playing on their positions, not a RB at LB and CB at RB.

Yes, obviously Baba offers more in attack (except obviously in set-pieces because Zouma is a beast in the air), but also very obviously Zouma offers more in defense where we've also been struggling a lot. From what I've seen from Baba he has far from inspired confidence on defense so far.

I realize that there is obviously a valid argument for Baba over Zouma but I'm just saying it's no where near as obvious and unanimous as it is being made out.

Baba: Greater attacking impetus, more pace, more quality crosses, ability to play fullbacks in natural positions.

Zouma: .... height, strength.

I'm not a fan of the height argument, I'd much rather Baba played so we would start resembling an actual football team instead of trying to look like some Rugby thugs.

It's not about strength for strength's sake. We don't have the technical skills to dominate midfield with our passing and dribbling. In fact we've NEVER had that since even before Roman came. Instead we look to physically outperform our opponents. As for in defense, no matter how you put it there are very obvious advantages for height and strength.

[manpe 10,861]

It's not about strength for strength's sake. We don't have the technical skills to dominate midfield with our passing and dribbling.

We better against Villa. If we are going for the win Baba plays. If Zouma plays then we are treating Villa like Barcelona... and we will never achieve what Mourinho first promised with his big mouth when he first came.

[MefiX19 1,092]

Yes, obviously Baba offers more in attack (except obviously in set-pieces because Zouma is a beast in the air), but also very obviously Zouma offers more in defense where we've also been struggling a lot. From what I've seen from Baba he has far from inspired confidence on defense so far.

I realize that there is obviously a valid argument for Baba over Zouma but I'm just saying it's no where near as obvious and unanimous as it is being made out.

Baba-Zouma-Garry-Azpi is solution.

[El P. 1,354]

This injury might be good for Chelsea, but for Ivanović himself too. Because he is mostly embarrassing himself at the pitch this days, and it's sad to see such a great player fall like that and not being benched.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

We better against Villa. If we are going for the win Baba plays. If Zouma plays then we are treating Villa like Barcelona... and we will never achieve what Mourinho first promised with his big mouth when he first came.

That's a rather simplistic view of it. We're in a crisis right now we can't afford to be picky about it. Ideally in a situation like this you would go for defensive stability first and foremost and try to build on that rather than looking for extravagant football.

Baba-Zouma-Garry-Azpi is solution.

Tbh, that's not the solution. No one in their right mind would choose that partnership for any top team. However that does seem to be our best bet at the moment given the lack of options.

[didierforever 7,349]

cant believe that there is even a question of who to start as a LB.

baba a LB as a LB, azpi a RB as a RB.

or zouma a CB as a RB, azpi a RB as a LB.

[LAM09 6,777]

cant believe that there is even a question of who to start as a LB.

baba a LB as a LB, azpi a RB as a RB.

or zouma a CB as a RB, azpi a RB as a LB.

Me neither. I can't believe Mou is making the same excuses about Baba. We bought him from the Bundesliga and not League 2. I think he's more than capable of doing a job in his position.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

That's a rather simplistic view of it. We're in a crisis right now we can't afford to be picky about it. Ideally in a situation like this you would go for defensive stability first and foremost and try to build on that rather than looking for extravagant football.

Tbh, that's not the solution. No one in their right mind would choose that partnership for any top team. However that does seem to be our best bet at the moment given the lack of options.

You're assuming Zouma can actually defend wingers 1v1 though. He obviously can't.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

You're assuming Zouma can actually defend wingers 1v1 though. He obviously can't.

Obvious? To whom exactly? So far for us whenever he's been isolated 1vs1 he's done very well. I'd say our second best defender 1vs1 after Azpi.

[DDA 9,691]

To even consider playing Zouma right back over Azpi when we have a nice and shiny new left bAck that we purchased in the Summer... Is ridiculous.

It obviously wasn't a Jose signing along with Salah and Cuadrado. Mourinho is making it painfully clear he expected higher quality in our transfer dealings as Champions of England.

That can be the only explination .. That or Jose has truly lost his marbles.

[Adnane 1,101]

cant believe that there is even a question of who to start as a LB.

baba a LB as a LB, azpi a RB as a RB.

or zouma a CB as a RB, azpi a RB as a LB.

Except that Azpi is incredibly good as a LB for a RB, and that Zouma is incredibly good for any of the 4 positions for a CB.

It's mostly about finding the best balance, we don't know Baba in training recently, I know he didn't play with Ghana for Visa reasons, means he probably stayed and trained with the group and José for 2 weeks, so let's see.

[didierforever 7,349]

Except that Azpi is incredibly good as a LB for a RB, and that Zouma is incredibly good for any of the 4 positions for a CB.

It's mostly about finding the best balance, we don't know Baba in training recently, I know he didn't play with Ghana for Visa reasons, means he probably stayed and trained with the group and José for 2 weeks, so let's see.

azpi is a good defensive LB. he is downright poor when it comes to attack as a LB. his link up play with hazard is poor. he is normally shifting the ball from his left to right foot to even make a simple 5 yard pass giving wingers and midfielders the time to double up on hazard. and considering the fact that our attacking play has looked shit, we have no width, and both our fullbacks (azpi and iva) cant cross a ball into the box, our play has become stagnant.

on the other azpi as a RB is a different story altogether. baba has shown to be more than a handful as an attacking fullback with good overlapping runs, getting behind the defence, providing width and some good crosses. all in all, i dont how or in what scenario does a zouma-azpi partnership beat a azpi-baba partnership.

[Adnane 1,101]

Absolutely agree on everything, but I am just not convinced by Baba defensively.

[Jase 43,479]

Absolutely agree on everything, but I am just not convinced by Baba defensively.

People say they are unsure about Rahman from a defensive perspective but how is he going to improve himself, prove to doubters that he is good if he's not given the opportunities?

[Adnane 1,101]

Because in the last two games he didn't actually convince me defensively, I don't just "guess" he's not that good defensively.

And if there's one thing we need at the moment, it's sure values on which we can count.

[Jase 43,479]

Because in the last two games he didn't actually convince me defensively, I don't just "guess" he's not that good defensively.

And if there's one thing we need at the moment, it's sure values on which we can count.

I didn't say you guessed, did I? Fair enough if you're still unsure about him but it's only 2 games. He can't get better without games. Besides, we can't be sure Zouma will do a solid job in a fullback position considering he's a center-back.