After eight years with the London club, former England left-back Ashley Cole decided it was right to call time on his Chelsea career and look elsewhere. This came after a frustrating season for Cole, who was replaced in the team by Cesar Azpilicueta for the majority of games. This week Cole was signed by Italian club Roma and can now look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead. There are many left-backs that have been linked with the Blues that could take his place but, after being such an influential player, it is important that Jose Mourinho chooses wisely.
The two main targets appear to be Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis and Sporting Lisbon’s Marcos Rojo, with the latter impressing for Argentina at this summer’s World Cup. Both are quality full-backs but they would have big boots to fill at Stamford Bridge.
At 28 years of age, Filipe Luis has played 127 league games for Atletico Madrid since joining in 2007 but only four international games for Brazil. He possesses good pace and also very disciplined positioning which makes him hard to get past. Marcos Rojo is 24 years old and has played 49 league games for Sporting Lisbon since they signed him from Spartak Moscow in 2012 and, since 2011, he has played in 28 international matches for Argentina. He is solid defensively, having previously played at centre-back, and is also very efficient at getting forward.
I would personally go for Rojo because he has more international experience than Luis and also as he is four years younger, meaning Chelsea should be able to get more years of top quality out of him. With regards to the defence, whoever they sign will join centre back Kurt Zouma, who has recently joined the Blues and hopes to stake a claim for a place at centre-back for the coming season.
Red Devils Eye Vidal To Play Alongside Herrera – What This Partnership Could Bring To Manchester United
I must start this Judi Bola Online24Jam Terpercaya article by stating that Arturo Vidal hasn’t actually signed for Manchester United, as much all the United fans would want him to. Ander Herrera has actually been bought though, so that is at least one half midfielder brought in. Speculation has linked Juventus’ Chile star with a move to England, one which the Express have reported could see Patrice Evra head in the opposite direction.
I have been looking at the rumours and Vidal has been someone that has been constantly linked with a move to United. Therefore, it would only be wise the see how Herrera and Vidal would match up if they were to be placed in the same team.
Firstly, in terms of positioning Herrera is the man that would sit back and soak up most of the pressure, while Vidal would play ahead of him in a more advanced role. The Spaniard is more defensive and the Chilean is more box-to-box, if you will.
Herrera is a great player and will be a good anchor to the United midfield. His wide range of passing and prominent defensive abilites make him very good at what he does. He has leant his trade in Spain and anyone will tell you that Serie A has very similar teachings.
Within football in both countries, what you do with the ball that is seen as the most important aspect of the game. For them, the ball as the holy grail; you need to keep hold of it for as long as you can. They drill into players from a young age that you must have a thought behind everything you do, and the thought should also benefit the team.
If you have a decision to play the ball long or short, both equally as good, they would often prefer the short option as you are more likely to retain possession. Herrera and Vidal have been educated in this area, so they know the importance of a team keeping hold of the ball. If they do pair up then we could see United dominate the possession statistics.
In addition to this, they also know that putting pressure on the opposition to win the ball back is also key. They have been taught to press as high up the pitch as possible and harass in packs rather than individually. Despite this, Vidal is quite attack-minded and he has the ability to produce something incredible out of the blue.
Herrera and Vidal could be a fantastic pairing for United, as both are very technically and physically gifted midfielders.