09 Aug 2015 15:56:54
I think we all over reacted yesterday and myself included. It showed with the gooners today the opening day is strange. I won't rant about Ivanovic because I doubt Mourinho will ever drop him. But with him, Cahill and Terry there's no rapid pace between the three of them. That's why Zouma definitely needs to come in. His speed is a massive asset to have and I don't know how Mourinho can't see it. I'd like to see Ivanovic dropped for a few games just as a timely reminder were not happy with him. But what we need most of all is a RB who defends and a RW who attacks and it seems the wrong way around. Mourinho just needs to tell Branna he can go so far forward but not stupidly far and then give Willian more freedom to attack and run at the defence that's just my personal opinion. That's why if Ivanovic does get caught forward at least we know Zouma's pace will help him get across to cover.
09 Aug 2015 17:24:41
We can't drop Ivanovic right now I'm afraid. Him and Azpi are our only full backs. So if you put Azpi on the right, who slots in on the left? Cuadrado? Traore? So it's not really possible right now. Hopefully a deal for Rahman is sorted soon so Mourinho can perhaps rotate a bit. Because you're right, our defense is too slow.
09 Aug 2015 18:07:07
Apparently cuadrado is good at right back Jackson why not try to put him in right back against teams with fast wingers he couldn't do any worse than Iva
09 Aug 2015 18:56:20
Azi will only go back to the right when we acquire a left back. You need more than pace as a full back and Cuadrado is not built for that position and as far as I can see not built for the Premiership. What are the thoughts on switching Cahill to right back with either Ivanovic or Zouma coming inside until such time the left back position is filled?
09 Aug 2015 21:24:00
Don't think that'd be a good idea tbh, Frensham. I don't know whether Cahill has played right back earlier in his career, but definitely hasn't played the position in quite a while and Ivanovic seems a far better option at this point. The only other full back right now is actually Ola Aina, and I thought he played well against Fiorentina. But it'd probably be too early for him to feature for the 1st team and I'm certain Mourinho wouldn't throw him in at the deep end.
It'll be Ivanovic and Azpi for the foreseeable future. Hopefully Ivanovic can up his game somewhat.
10 Aug 2015 07:40:57
You are probably right Jackson, I was trying to think how Mourinho could play it as he said last week "players know they may have to play out of position". Cahill is sharper than Ivanovic and to be honest although he has served us well I never felt Brana was a genuine right back, more a central player. The two youngsters that have impressed me are Loftus-Cheek, although still not ready for the first team and Aina who I thought played with a surprising amount of confidence for such a youngster and appeared to have very quick feet but as you say too early for either however, many great players were thrown in at the deep end in the past.
10 Aug 2015 07:56:47
I see Stones can play at right back and I wonder if he might play there at first to get used to the Chelsea way before moving to CB in the future? If we actually sign him of course.
10 Aug 2015 08:49:10
JKB: That I think everybody would really like. Let's start a whip round so we can make up the shortfall in transfer fee. That would do wonders to the right side but I feel Mourinho has his heart set on returning Azi there asap.
10 Aug 2015 10:02:08
Hi Frensham, why do you say that Jose wants to return Azpi to RB asap? Weren't PSG supposedly interested in Ivan? If what you say is true, surely we would have sold Ivan and kept Luis.
10 Aug 2015 17:12:35
Mrs Costa: He made a comment last year about revamping his defence for the next season. He referred to Azi doing so well off his wrong foot but he wanted people playing in their rightful position. The week before last he said that players know that some may be playing out of position for part of the season; whether a general statement I don't know but it makes sense given Azi is a right footed player and would be an asset when going forward for nothing more than he is a better crosser of the ball than Ivanovic. I always felt Brana was a better central player. PSG allegedly were interested, paper talk possibly, but I don't think he has signed an extension yet to his contract. we will soon find out if we get Rahman as he has made it clear he will not sit on the bench.