The long-term future of club captain and firm fans’ favourite Cesar Azpilicueta has been a big talking point among the Blues supporters since the appointment of Frank Lampard. Will he stick with the Spaniard, or look to promote the promising young Reece James after his glorious season on loan at Wigan in the Championship?
At Derby County, Lampard put a huge emphasis on his energetic, overlapping full-backs, who would be challenged to offer support and service in the final third to his attacking options and his Chelsea side look to be no different. The early signs in pre-season suggest that Lampard will make similar demands for his full-backs at Stamford Bridge, with the club’s former midfielder looking for an energetic, high-pressing team to dominate in the opposition’s half.
Most betting apps will have Lampard among the favourites to be sacked first out of all Premier League managers due to his inexperience and the future of Azpilicueta could be one of the first big calls he has to make as Chelsea boss.
The Spaniard may see his position to start on the opening day of the season against Manchester United under threat after some mixed performances in pre-season. Such is the emphasis that Lampard puts on his full-backs, whoever starts in that right-back spot could prove to be the difference on the day. If you’re confident that Lampard’s side can get the better of United, you can find football betting offers at www.bettingapps.org.
Renowned for his hard work and effort, Azpilicueta has all the qualities you could ask for in a defender but may get left behind by the way Lampard wants his defenders to play. In what many would call a ‘modern-day full-back’, the new Chelsea boss will be hoping that either player will be just as dangerous in the opposition’s box as his own.
As good as a servant Azpilicueta has been for Chelsea over the years since his move from Marseille, it has always been his quality on the ball that has left the defender wanting. This is highlighted even more when he is compared to Lampard’s options on the left-hand side of the back four, with Marcos Alonso and Emerson both exceptional in the final third. Neither of the two are strangers to an overlapping run past their respective winger, while they also have the end product in the final third to match. If Azpilicueta is unable to replicate this in his own game, then Lampard risks an unbalanced back four that could be exploited by opposition teams.
Chelsea fans are desperate to see Reece James develop into a first-team regular after the incredible form he displayed on loan at Wigan last season. After being named in the EFL’s Team of the Season, many believe that he is more than capable to become Azpilicueta’s long-term replacement.
However, an injury over the summer appears to have derailed any plans for an immediate spot in the Chelsea first-team, meaning the young defender will have to bide his time before he can oust Azpilicueta from the regular starting spot at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard has been very open in his willingness to give youth a chance this season after taking the Chelsea job. It’s something that the club themselves are keen to see too, but it looks like James may have to wait his turn. The pathway to the Chelsea first-team is there, but Lampard may look to lean on the experience of Azpilicueta – someone he played alongside at the Bridge – during his first season in charge at the club.
