11 Nov 2014 22:27:37
Alright guys don't shoot me down for this but here I go.

Over the last 5-10 years we've seen Philip Lahm become the best hybrid full back in the world being able to play right back and left back. We have developed one of our own: Cesar Azpilicueta. Since guardiola took over at bayern he's converted Philip Lahm into a great central holding midfielder.

What i'm trying to say is could Azpilicueta do that for us? He's been brilliant at rb and left back for us. If Nemanja Matic gets injured for us we'd have a problem IMO. At this moment never mind Costa, Fabregas, Hazard and Terry I think Matic is our most important player. We have Mikel as backup who I really don't rate especially in big matches. Then Ramires, for me a quality player great in a 4-3-3 but for me not a holding mid so why not try Azpilicueta there who has a great all round game. I'm not saying copy Guardiola but I would definitely like to see it tried. Matic will need a rest now and again because we have a lot of upcoming games in December. Obviously not permanent but if Matic got injured with a little bit of adaptation i'd be much less nervous if azpi was there instead of Ramires or Mikel. Lb wouldn't be a problem because we have another quality one in Filipe Luis to fill in for Dave.

Just my opinion. Let me know your thoughts.

1.) 11 Nov 2014
11 Nov 2014 23:12:57
Obviously it would be hard to tell quite how he'd do without trying it, but personally I don't think it would work particularly well. There is the argument that no-one would have thought Dave would do so well at left back as he has, but in the end, although you have to deal with playing with your stronger foot on the inside rather than out, the basic skill-set required for being a left back or right back is the same. In Matic's position on the other hand, as well as being solid defensively, you need to be competent on the ball. While not many would have predicted Lahm going into midfield, it was always clear that he had very good technical skills and I don't think Azpi is anywhere near as good in that sense. I think there would be worse decisions that could be made, and who knows, Jose could start doing this and I'd be proven (happily) wrong, but I feel in the end that if we moved Azpi into midfield, not only would we risk his defending perhaps being weakened for a while due to the need to adapt, but also I doubt he would be much better in an offensive sense than Mikel. I also feel that it would be massively unfair on players like Ake if Dave was to be selected ahead of him, as he has been proven competent whenever he has been called into play and is deserving of a chance if injuries and suspensions begin to pile up

2.) 12 Nov 2014
Agree with Dimitri, Lahm is one of the best players I have seen, and is quality in any position.

I don't believe Azpillicueta could play the midfeild position well, I think Ivanovic could play it better than azpi imo

{Ed002's Note - Azpilcueta played as a right winger on occasion at Marseille.}

3.) 12 Nov 2014
12 Nov 2014 12:04:07
And he also had a game for is as right wing and was bloody awful.

Why rock the boat he is class where he is

4.) 12 Nov 2014
Yep! He can play wing but I don't feel he can play the CM