Ake has been superb this season - very solid in defence. In his absence, Holebas hasn't let us down, and has offered a serious attacking threat. I thought he was terrific today. Can either of them play at right back ? Each of them has been more impressive than Nyom and Paredes.
Ake and Holebas are too good to not be in the first XI, but unfortunately they share the same position. The difference between the performance level of Nyom/Paredes and Ake/Holebas is stark, but I'm sure it's been considered by the coach to switch either Ake or Holebas over but has been decided against. Personally, I'd keep Nyom as he's a decent defender, but Paredes has not progressed enough and is only really a Championship player IMO. I would think the club will look to move on Paredes and sign a right wing back of a similar standard of Ake and Holebas in the summer.
Yeah , Holebas looks very left footed. Ake looks more two footed as tends to be the case with the way younger players are now coached . Playing a FB on the wrong side is fine defensively but going forward can be the issue as you will tend to go inside into the group of players rather than outside to cross .
I totally agree if it was a purely defensive problem, I would probably switch Ake to the right as he is more two footed, and we know this can work as Lloydinnio plied his trade very effectively on the left. However, as we tend to use our FB's as WB's it would probably not work that well, having said that it might be worth giving it a try once we are past the 40 point mark, just to see if it could work!
With any luck we will have the luxury of 9 or 10 games where QSF can try out various formations - but don't forget Ake may not be here next season......
Am I right in thinking Ake can play elsewhere. If we were to return to a 3-5-2 I'm certain either of them could play left side of the defence or as a left wing back
Ake can also play as centre back and says his preferred position is DM. Cathcart can play as a RB apparently
I found it quite strange on Saturday that a couple of the Watford players were having to direct Paredes into the right positions or runs. Don't get me wrong, I like that these on the field discussions are being had as some mid game changes can be required, but Britos had to tell him what to do to cover him for the first couple of corners, and I think it was Capoue who was vigorously waving him forward to make a run down the line and create some space. Firstly, you would have hoped that they had already discussed cover for the CBs going up for corners, and secondly, he seemed reluctant to charge up the wing when he seemed so free to do it early on in games he's played. Just seemed weird to me that he seemed a bit lost and unsure. Perhaps it's a confidence thing or maybe he was told to stay back and there was a lack of communication somewhere.
If Holebas and Ake are both going to be in the team, I'd rather see Holebas on the left side of midfield so he use his attacking skills while Ake masks his poor positioning in defence. From what I've seen, Holebas would be more effective there than Jurado, Capoue or Amrabat. But that doesn't seem to fit into Florrie's mindset, so I doubt it will ever be tried.
There must be a way to get both these excellent players in the same side. It would be a crime not to. Sort it Flores. For me, if it's one or the other against Muff, I'd go with the whole bass. He seems to have gotten over his early-season sulks & now looks like the top-class international-level left back that he undoubtedly is.
Think the stick towards Nyom is a bit harsh. He's still good defensively, the way he gets his body in between the player and the ball is impressive, and he has energy going forward. A few small mistakes, poor first touches and stuff, perhaps suggest he's lost a bit of confidence, but there was always clumsiness in there even from the start of the season. I think Paredes is having a good season too, though nowhere near in the same class defensively. Having said that, it's a real shame that Ake and Holebas cant fit in the same side. Seen a few suggest Holebas could play further forward, but think that would be a case of playing him in midfield because he deserves to be playing left-back, rather than him actually being the best left midfielder.
Did somebody not take too kindly to being dropped? https://www.instagram.com/p/BCTmxM-DnF0/?taken-by=josecholevas
tbf I don't blame Holebas (if that's what it's about) his last couple of games were excellent and no sign of any attitude Think QSF has called it wrong
Regardless of the rights and wrongs of Holebas being dropped, you cannot go on social media and write "#sickofthis****"
Paredes bit of skill on the touch line today was simply brilliant.He does have defensive issues a we saw in the championship but I feel he has done well most of the time he has played.Nyom looked very good early season and I think he will come good again.Like most I think we will need to find better quality in this position to feel comfortable but either would be good enough for the bench. I think Ake does a better defensive job than Holebas who gets caught out of position more often.I would like to see QSF try Ake at full back and Holebas in wide midfield in a game where we need to be more defensive stains the quick wingers.Today for example as we knew Bournemouth would play fast and wide.It might not work but Holebas does love to attack when pushing forward and has shown enough to give a try out together in the right game.If we can keep both for next season I would be comfortable with them both.
It has been suggested we play Holebas as wide left in front of Ake, which sounds like a possible good idea to me, so perhaps we could also try Paredes wide right in front of Nyom?
The Paredes move in the second half was awesome, but Ake is a cut above on the other side. He is a fantastic defender. If Chelsea don't put him in the team next year they are mugs of the highest order.
Literally just a picture of the hashtag #sickofthis**** It's on Twitter, just search Holebas. Ake was good yesterday but Holebas was good against Leeds and has been whenever he's been called upon. Obviously it's Quique's choice though and he clearly prefers Ake. It's a shame if Holebas doesn't get a run and wants out at the end of the season meaning we could be looking for a couple of new left backs in the summer.
Maybe Holebas is regretting being a bit of a doofus earlier in the season now. If Watford want Ake I imagine discussions with Chelsea have already started. We may get an indication of whether it's likely to happen over the last 11 games. If Ake plays the majority then we might have a chance of getting him. If we have no chance I would think Holebas would and should play. That is of course if either of them want to play here next season.
I suggested that! Me me me! I'm glad it meets with your approval. We could make a management dream team, thee and me.
With every game Ake's price tag rises. Depends on who comes in as Chelsea manager. Whether they want their own players or are willing to run the rule over everyone in preseason. Ake exudes calmness beyond his years, ease on the ball, is a decent crosser of the ball and has tremendous stamina too and makes his challenges when required in a no nonsense fashion.
I wish we'd play with wingbacks again and could play them both... Gomes Nyom/Paredes, Cathcart, Britos, Ake, Holebas Capoue, Watson Jurado Ighalo, Deeney
I said before the game the decision to drop holebas was the wrong decision. Nothing against Ake, but Holebas is of equal ability and offers a hell of a lot going forward for a left back. Based on his MOTM performance last week he should have been given the nod again.
Its fine playing Ake if we don't have another option, but unless Chelsea will sell us Ake, or he is head and shoulders above Holebas, why is he being played? Why develop a competitors player? What have Chelsea done for us?
