I don't know. 1. Az takes what his manager tells him and does it. 2. I remember him up and down the flanks pumping crosses in quite often over the past few seasons. He's the reason Morata had any goals for us. I think Az can attack with the best of them in terms of runs, making space, crossing, taking on players, clever passes, etc. If you mean straight up goals, I don't know. I love goals from outside backs, but I think Frank loves the security of having him back there. James has done nothing yet at a top level, so it would take something drastic for him to supplant Az. He's still so young and talented, learning from the best. Some fun stats: Ashley Cole 7 goals in 338 apps Alonso 18 goals in 120 Ivanovic 34 goals in 377 apps Az 9 goals in 337 apps
I don’t mean goals. His crosses have been sub par and his assists to Morata were as a RCB from a deeper position not out wide. He’s starting slow down. I suspect he will remain the starter but he rotated a little more this year and then next year the shift will really begin.
O Oh yeah, it's a great time to introduce a talent like James into the fold. A lot of clubs would like to have him on the books.
No doubt. It’s gonna be an interesting year for Chelsea. A lot of youth and a lot of chances this year. I can’t wait for Saturday. I’m hoping for big showings from the kids.
Some final pre-season table predictions: 1. Manchester City 2. Liverpool 3. Tottenham 4. Arsenal 5. Manchester United 6. Wolves 7. Chelsea 8. Leicester City 9. Everton 10. West Ham 11. Crystal Palace 12. Watford 13. Bournemouth 14. Burnley 15. Southampton 16. Aston Villa 17. Norwich City 18. Newcastle United 19. Brighton and Hove Albion 20. Sheffield United
Third or fifth season in a row where I'm wondering what planet I live on where Spurs, United and Arsenal are suddenly so much better than us
They're spending money, we really aren't. Not entirely sure though how Yanited, or Arsenal are better though. Arsenal for all the talent they're bringing in going forward have done virtually nothing to address the issues at the back. What are they going to play 0-2-8? Very similar to Liverpool before Van Dijk. Spurs I will agree with you on and that's just with the addition of N'Dombele. He's that good and Pooch is that good that they can be a real threat. We need need to improve the top talent at the club though ASAP. No more Zappacosta's and Drinkwaters. We have to make meaningful purchases and actually upgrade the squad.
Has Pooch ever actually won anything, heck with a big lead he did not even hold us off with our end of year free-fall.. sooo overrated
Say what you want but he got a side with little to no signings to a CL final. They are bettered positioned than us. Sure he hasn't won anything, but that doesn't make him overrated.
I rate Poch and he's really done wonders with the tight purse strings. It is also true, though not entirely a fair summary, to say he hasn't won anything. With the backing he is now finally getting and with the new stadium the pressure is on to win something and soon. If he doesn't he will still have the pick of jobs of better funded clubs but I tip my hat to his keeping them in the top 4 and winning big ties in the biggest club competition. At the end of the day I ask myself would I be upset if ended up here and the clear answer for me is no, I'd be very happy.
What signings did they desperately need to make, they had Kane, Erickson, Son, Alli, Moura, lamala two deep of quality defenders, a quality GK, and decent physical midfielders and they still finished the League behind a free falling us and barely held 4th. Lots of Clubs make a special, not quite Cup run, now and again, but he did not win. "As you say if "they are better positioned than us" yet finished behind us, than perhaps that goes to coaching. Not saying he is rubbish, just that he is not that extra special cut above, and would have been fired here and at many a top Club long ago and/or been ravaged by the press. Like Wenger til they turned on him, he is an overrated press darling, but at least Wenger won some big Silver. Hate to be contrary KDB, well not really, but I would not want him at Chelsea, good and yes he will get other jobs, but just not quite good enough to be among the top boys and even with no signings last summer, they have been loaded with talent the last few seasons
Spurs finished 4th on auto-pilot, made the CL final and have brought in one of the top CMe on the market. Why wouldn’t they be rated ahead of us?