12 Aug 2015 14:12:08
Does anyone else think having a right footed RB out of position at LB and RB who can't cross is mainly the reason we're not playing well going forward. When Rahman joins which seems inevitable i'd like to see us try Azpi back at RB and Rahman LB against Palace at home to give us that balance I think we're lacking. That why I really think Willian can improve his attacking game more instead of bailing Ivanovic out all the time.
12 Aug 2015 14:43:53
Yes of course. Azpilicueta is actually a great attacking right back. Time to let him off his lead a bit!!
12 Aug 2015 15:30:45
I'd love to see a back four of Azpi, Stones, Terry and Rahman.
12 Aug 2015 15:41:10
The problem with our style of play, and the way our fullbacks can impact it negatively, is that they aren’t able to attack in a positive manor. When we attack it is often, due to our style of play, a counter attack - because of our attacking players all in essence being “number 10’s†these counter attacks are often very narrow; when this is the case you’d want your fullbacks to push up and supply width. When Azpilicueta gets forward in support of them he has to take a couple of touches, often cutting back and slowing the play down, before crossing or passing the ball. When Ivanovic gets forward he, well he is probably one of the worst offensive fullbacks in the league - he just can’t cross a ball. Moving Azpilicueta to RB and, if he’s good enough, starting Rahman should help with these problems. Solving this issue is more important than getting a new winger or midfielder.
I think we’re looking at Ivanovic’s (who has been a great, great servant for the club) last season at Chelsea. I see John Stones, a CB who can play RB, as more of a replacement for him than Terry.
12 Aug 2015 16:07:27
Great post J. Although I hope you don't mean Stones at RB. I'd like to see Stones come in now and partner JT with hopefully Azpi and Rahman full backs. Ivanovic would be a great squad rotation player along with Cahill. Bit harsh on Zouma as he's been linked with a loan to Roma today. I'd like to see him go on loan at Everton for this season as part of the Stones deal then come back when Ivanovic leaves/Terry retires.
12 Aug 2015 17:56:23
Steady lads, that great defence we had last year hasn't suddenly fallen apart. Yes, we have to start 'preparing' for the future but a new left back first and foremost and time to accept how Mourinho wants him to play. As excited as some are about Rahman, if goes racing up the pitch to hammer crosses in and then neglects his main duty, defending, then he will be in big trouble so Azi will stay where he is possibly for the time being. Yes, Ivanovic got rinsed on Saturday but that doesn't mean it will happen every week so cut him a little slack and I am sure he knew it was a poor performance. If Rahman proves his worth and Azi goes over to the right we then have a rotational option with Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill and Terry in the centre which in another season or two will possibly see two of those being fazed out and there is still the possibility of Stones joining. I would not like to see wholesale change for changes sake
12 Aug 2015 18:00:44
No mate I fully see Stones as a CB who can, only if the need requires it, deputise at RB. But the fact he covers that right hand side of the defence highlights him as a natural squad replacement for Ivanovic rather than Terry - the press are just obsessed with us replacing Terry!
Zouma going on loan somewhere after the (potential) signing of Stones makes a lot of sense - Roma or Everton, I wouldn't mind; if he gets a full season under his belt we'll be stronger going forward.
12 Aug 2015 18:57:39
J: I am thinking around Stones not joining. I also doubt Zouma will go on loan. Stones does join and I could see Ivanovic or Cahill going. I don't think Terry is an obsession but they are being realists, he's 35 in December (7th if you want to send him a card) and the best in the league managing a defence but attacking pace is getting better and better and there is only so much natural instincts will cover.
12 Aug 2015 21:09:19
Frensham - I don't think buying a LB and CB is wholesale changes but we have to realistically think about Terry and Ivanovic leaving after this year. I recognise the press are realists with regards to Terry's age but we have to be realists about Ivanovic's age too (32, next Feb, 22nd in case you're baking a cake 😀). He has lost some pace and, for me, has never been positionally sound. I see Stones as a more realistic squad replacement for Ivanovic and think next summer could prove to be a difficult bidding war for him - I see it as an important signing this year.mif he does join Zouma going on loan makes a ton of sense , Cahill or Ivanovic leaving permanently makes little sense.
Sorting out the defence as discussed will, once again in my opinion, make us more defensively sound, but also make us better going forward
12 Aug 2015 21:50:51
Start o last season our lb and rb were great ivanovic scoring and attacking. We've carried on this season like the end of last. Too cautious. But my problem even when we cross the ball we have no 1 in the box.
13 Aug 2015 07:19:00
J: I don't think we are a million miles apart in thought process, I am not convinced we will sign Stones before January so it is what we do now. Not sure where the Zouma loan rumour started but I just cannot see it. I did send Ivanovic a gateaux in the hope he found PSG attractive but he ate it, stayed and it slowed him down! The leagues best defence will be changing in the next twelve months I am sure but as I said it has not suddenly deteriorated to the stage there should be panic; several games like Swansea and Mourinho will do something. Blueboy1's comment makes a lot of sense. Since Drogba's demise after the Champion's League we have not had a target man good in the air.