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Antonio Rudiger

Maybe Cahill is willing to accept Terry/Carrick's style of captainship.
E.g You're the Captain but be surprised if you play. 

 
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 Id be very surprised if he loses his place to Cahill. Our defence right now since the Burnley game has been very solid. Conceded an own goal and a penalty and none from open play.  

 
For me Conte probably feels the same way we do. Like @Drogbaholic says no goals conceded in open play since game 1.

I think it will be more a case of will he want to do it to the captain 2 seasons in a row. Last season JT was playing till his injury. Never regained his spot again.

Now this season if he just eases Cahill out after that red few people might raise eye brows.

I think he will let him back in team but Cahill being Cahill will show himself up with a few mistakes which will mean he's gently moved out without too much of sympathy from any quarters. 

 
Wouldn't be fair on him tbh if he was replaced because he did everything right thus far. Barely makes mistakes and looked calm and assured on the ball. 

 
Very impressed on Saturday. Communication in particular. He wasn't shy of letting people know where they should be. Love that in a centre back. 

Looks a very solid buy. 

 
EmeraldBlue said:
Having Rudiger doesn't mean we have to ditch Cahill.
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For me VM is a weak link in this team, I'd have Dave play RWB if we wanted to incorporate both Garry and Rudiger, that's a strong defence, you gave Garry with experience and leadership (I think he lacks elsewhere tbh) Rudiger and luiz have a bit of pace, power and are ball players, Dave it top notch and we know he can cross, I've no idea why we aren't playing that set up. 

 
DonAntonio said:
For me VM is a weak link in this team, I'd have Dave play RWB if we wanted to incorporate both Garry and Rudiger, that's a strong defence, you gave Garry with experience and leadership (I think he lacks elsewhere tbh) Rudiger and luiz have a bit of pace, power and are ball players, Dave it top notch and we know he can cross, I've no idea why we aren't playing that set up. 
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I think it's because Dave provides a mean cross when he's free. If Dave was running the wings, he'd be pressed by the oppo LB/winger or he'll be stretching the field so less time on the ball.

But having Gary at the right would be a good option as well in certain games or if Zapp or Moses can't play for some reason. 

 
RIP Mourinho said:
We have Moses and Zappa there though. Seems silly to stop them playing to accommodate Cahill.
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Yea that's correct, but I'd rather see them dropped that Rudiger. Ideally I don't think Garry should take Rudiger place, we have looked brilliant defensively especially at corners and balls in, looks like everything is coming together. I hope Zappa is decent because for me VM is a weak link. He would be better as a back up. 

 
DonAntonio said:
Yea that's correct, but I'd rather see them dropped that Rudiger. Ideally I don't think Garry should take Rudiger place, we have looked brilliant defensively especially at corners and balls in, looks like everything is coming together. I hope Zappa is decent because for me VM is a weak link. He would be better as a back up. 
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When he adopted the role he did a brilliant job.  Maybe that was because teams weren't used to facing 343 and had more time on the wing.  But like you said, VM has been underwhelming, especially since the start of the season.  His crossing has been woeful.

 
DonAntonio said:
Yea that's correct, but I'd rather see them dropped that Rudiger. Ideally I don't think Garry should take Rudiger place, we have looked brilliant defensively especially at corners and balls in, looks like everything is coming together. I hope Zappa is decent because for me VM is a weak link. He would be better as a back up. 
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VM will always be a beast physically with his engine, pace and strength but as you say he lacks a bit with the end product. From looking at reviews, Zappa certainly looks like he can put a decent ball into the box. 

 
Going to be very negative here considering it's only 3-4 games, I'm not keen on his ball distribution or his ball retention. But I've never seen him play before quite honestly so I don't know what his strengths are, maybe it's fine having someone who's more limited on the ball but is a better defender to mix things up at the back when we have Azpi & Luiz who are exceptional passers and great going forward. I think Rudiger has looked a bit shaky but that's my only criticism, his defending I can't complain at all, we'll see how he gets on as the season progresses. 

I've watched Bako in Ligue 1 and I wasn't very keen on him because of his technical skills whereas Rudiger like I just said, I've never seen him play so I can't really comment but I have a fair idea he's not a ball playing defender which I think is something we should've went for in the market despite how rare they are, Luiz is honestly what keeps this team together and so many don't realise it. 

 
I agree he looks pretty limited on the ball but against Leicester he made two vital headers in the first-half, strong, powerful, brave headers when Leicester could easily have scored. He's tall, he's athletic, he's strong and he's fast. How fast? Well have a look at this video, start it at 1min13secs. It's the moment before we scored when Leicester could have scored, but for a fine save by Tbo, from a Leicester breakaway. Unfortunately you don't see the beginning of the move in this video, but it started on the edge of their own area, from one of our corners, Slimani nicks the ball off Kante, gives the ball to Mahrez and then we're bang in trouble. Rudiger and Luiz start to sprint back, behind the play. They're level with each other when they start and Luiz is no slouch. Watch Rudiger sprint. He ends up miles ahead of Luiz and almost catches up with the play. Luiz in fact runs out of puff and slows down, whereas Rudiger runs back to protect our goal, taking up a great position, meaning if the ball had gone past Tbo, Rudiger may well have cleared it off the line. I was staggered by how fast he ran back, and by his determination to do so. Anyway have a watch ..





Edit: If anyone can find a video which shows the move from the beginning please post it.

 
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Rudiger comes across as a natural leader, we need that after JT's departure.

I think he'll be a talent once Conte has got his message across. He will make mistakes but I think Conte will mould him into a top class centre back.

 
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