1.) 09 Aug 2020
09 Aug 2020 18:08:48
Nice read ed. He was quite a player both seasons he won the league.
I think he was a proper defender and learned a lot from terry and hence positinal sense. He had proper defenders alongside him in Ivanovic and cahill and Chelsea did very well.
Now they lack any pattern on defending and he has been exposed he is still beat defender they have though.
If he gets a solid partner i think he would help Chelsea regain composure at the back.

{Ed001's Note - he is one of my favourite ever players for some reason.}

2.) 09 Aug 2020
09 Aug 2020 18:11:26
I've always quite liked him tbh. Seems quite a passionate player. O remember him putting a few nice crosses on morata's head, but like you say Ed, his close control, one two play is very good. One of those players who keeps the ball well under pressure, a very important trait in our high speed, high intensity league.

{Ed001's Note - it is just a shame the game has changed and no one plays with good solid full-backs.}

3.) 09 Aug 2020
09 Aug 2020 19:40:35
Azpilicueta has been one of my fav. players since he signed for Marseille in 2010. He was so highly rated in Spain at the time that he was invited by Del Bosque to the victorious 2010 WC team as a 20 yr old so at that time, it told me that he was the real deal.

Played two blinding seasons for OM and everyone knew at the time that he was to good for them an they could not keep him so when Chelsea came in for him, he was gone.

IMO, Azpi has been the best all round defender in the PL for the past several years. I remember how he kept out Felipe Luiz (a left footed LB) out of the team whilst playing LB as a right footer. Felipe Luis left after one season. He then played RCB in a back 3 and was brilliant under Conte and won the PL as well. I agree that his time has gone and all that BUT Love the guy to bits.

4.) 09 Aug 2020
09 Aug 2020 20:59:44
I like him too.
I fear about that hamstring injury though, same with Pulisic.
Once they go in that manner, they become recurring problems for the rest of their careers.

5.) 10 Aug 2020
10 Aug 2020 01:04:56
Good profile Ed001. He used to be brilliant and now it's all pulling and hauling with his legs seemingly gone - biggest shock is you've said he's only 30. He's looking more like Zabaleta now, very immobile.