Is it sacrilege to suggest that he may no longer be good enough to be a right back? He was great under Conte in a central 3 - even though he is on the small size and was caught out once or twice in the air (most notably by Alli when we played Spurs). And while I realize that every one of our players was awful against Man City, Sterling showed very clearly that Azpi no longer has the pace to keep up with quick wingers. And with the possible exception of our team, almost every premier league club has fast forwards nowadays. Pace is incredibly important, and while Azpi's reading of the game is generally excellent - he is lacking in that area.
Plus, his crossing is pretty woeful. It's not like he is a goal threat, like Ivanovic used to be. He doesn't have that aerial threat from corners - and his shooting is pretty average too.
Even as captain it's difficult to say that he is a great leader. He quietly gets on with his job, but you wouldn't point to him and say he is a leader of men.
I still think he is our best defender - so don't think I am rubbishing Azpi. I really love the fact that he is so consistent, and he has been a great servant to Chelsea. He is still the best right back we have at the club, and possibly the best centre back too! But his powers are definitely on the wane, and I think we need to be looking at bringing in a younger, faster, full back in the Summer.
I'm sure this will offend some fans - but I'm interested to hear what others have to say. (Truthfully, I think we need to replace our entire defence - not one of them is really good enough).
Azpi
posted on 13/2/19
Me being naïve again Kunta - Sarri not likely to show any kind of inspired thinking right now!
posted on 13/2/19
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 56 minutes ago
Sterling is a great player on great form..so Azpi isn’t the first and won’t be the last player he has a good game against. And worth pointing out Azpi contained him (or Sane, can’t remember who) in the reverse fixture.
Azpi is one of a few players who I think should/could look better with better players around them/ a better balanced team. I also think he’s earned the right to stay patient with him.
One ‘theory’ I have Azpi is certainly better as a defensive RB than as a two way RB, and at the start of the season Sarri carbon copied with our full backs what was described he did with his Napoli full backs ie Alonso had a lot of freedom (almost like wingback under Conte) and Azpi was the more defensive RB, less runs forward, almost like he switches back to his old RCB position.
This went on until Sarri realised Alonso being good going forward is a bit of a myth/it is not worth him having full freedom as the positives of him going forward doesn’t negate the space he left behind. Our United game early in the season, they constantly attacked our right while Alonso was goalhanging, and at HT Sarri switched to a more equal system that they still do now, if one overlaps the other goes back (before Alonso stays in box if Azpi joins the attack). Azpi being more involved in attack suits him less..
..so I wonder if we had a properly good LB going forward that Sarri can revert back to what worked at Napoli and have Azpi in a position that suits him being defensive RB.
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To be honest though, going forward this season has not been the issue.
His defending has been quite frankly bad. He is more comfortable on the ball than Alonso, but is having just as many problems in 1 v 1 situations. Sterling is a great winger yes, but it certainly has not been the first time his pace has been exploited pretty badly.
My own theory is that he is both not used to system, but also having spent much of his career playing in other positions, his progression as a RB has been stunted, even reverted in some ways.
posted on 13/2/19
Good article btw, it needs to be said.
I would go as far to say he was as bad as Alonso on Sunday.
posted on 14/2/19
Azpi had a stinker. Iva was poor for 3 months.
posted on 14/2/19
It's not sacrilege at all. I don't think he's looked particularly good all season. Maybe he can only play in a back three these days. I'd say we definitely need a new RB next season.
But then again the whole squad needs major surgery unless we're going to actually start trusting some of our fantastic young players.
posted on 14/2/19
Yeah he's not good enough to play RB, hasn't got the pace or athleticism to play there. He's been pretty average all season.
Wan Bissaka is a great option, someone who we should look at. Chilwell and Telles are also good options for the LB positions. Definitely need freshening up in the full back areas.
posted on 14/2/19
We must be realistic,he's not been good this season, also, his leadership qualities have not shone through.
We need a new leader (Rudi maybe),and an injection of youth and ambtion into the team.
posted on 14/2/19
Agree Rudi could be good choice for captain.
However it is too soon to dismiss one of our greatest ever defenders in Azpi
posted on 14/2/19
Not dismising Dave at all,i just think that he is now more of a squad player .With his experience, and adaptability to play in other positions,he would benefit the young guys coming through .
posted on 14/2/19
First of all - thank you everyone for all the constructive comments above. I was genuinely expecting people to be furious with me for my suggestions.
I have specific responses to a couple of people:
Kunta Kante, you said:
"Sterling is a great player on great form..so Azpi isn’t the first and won’t be the last player he has a good game against."
Yes, Sterling has done this to many other defenders - but let's be honest, Sterling hasn't been the only forward to skin Azpi this season. He is just the latest to do so - and the fact that this resulted in a clear penalty made it all the more obvious. Perhaps the other times Azpi was beaten didn't necessarily result in a goal conceded, and fortunately for Azpi this hid his possible inadequacies.
You also said:
"And worth pointing out Azpi contained him (or Sane, can’t remember who) in the reverse fixture."
This is false. If you remember that game, Man City absolutely bossed the first half, and Sane in particular tore Azpi a new one. Sane roasted Azpi - and it was just sheer good fortune (plus some poor finishing) that they were not ahead by half time. Then, just before half time Sane allowed Kante to get free in the box and to score the opening goal - which infuriated Guardiola and he immediately substituted Sane at half time. The second half Azpi did not have to mark Sane - and personally I believe that was a huge mistake by Pep. Azpi got away with it that time - but more out of luck than judgment - and it's exactly due to that luck that people forget how poor he actually was. Again - there's no real shame to being beaten by players as good as Sane or Sterling - but it just suggests that he is no longer good enough to play for Chelsea.I want a defender who IS good enough to defend against Sane or Sterling - you know, like Azpi used to be.
And in response to CFC: FFP Champions:
"Azpi had a stinker. Iva was poor for 3 months......However it is too soon to dismiss one of our greatest ever defenders in Azpi"
There's no room for sentimentality I'm afraid. We made the same error with Ivanovic (and Terry & Lampard frankly). He could still be a squad player - but I think we need to address this issue quickly.
I think Sarri ideally wanted Hysaj from Napoli, but unless Sarri stays I can't see that happening. Reece James & Tomori look like they have bright futures. I think the jury is still out on Gujon Sterling. And Tablighi, I agree that Wan Bissaka looks a fantastic prospect - I would love to buy him (and Zaha) from Crystal Palace. And like most people I think Rudiger is excellent and I would keep him out of all our current defenders.