The new Jose group at Chelsea talking up the defence

Last updated : 30 October 2013 By DSG

'?cuz Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea is our name!'As we proudly hear the famous Chelsea FC chant, nothing excites us more than seeing Jos? Mourinho on the sidelines giving out instructions to our players on the field. Having declared himself the ?Happy One? now, every Chelsea fan can pride himself in the fact that whatever the gaffer does for the club this time will be by and large out of happiness! Yeah, that sounds great!!!

Now looking at the squad from the defence comprising John Terry, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Caesar Azpilicueta, Ryan Bertrand, and Tomas Kalas, there is a complete mix of experience and youth in the side. Whereas the experience of captain, leader and legend, JT, seems to have been reinvigorated with the arrival of Jose, the confidence of Cahill seems to have also exploded. Although I believe Luiz will be the first choice centre pairing with JT, he?ll not have it easy as he did last season with stiff competition coming from Cahill this time.

In the matches played so far, Cahill seems to have become more of a sweeper (as did Carvahlo in his time here) as well as his world class timely blocks and JT doing what he does best ?reading the runs of strikers and beating them to aerial balls. I still think Cahill has a lot to learn and it?s just a matter of time, trust Jos?. Luiz, love him or loathe him for his stylish and sometimes ?over-indulgent? play, is still my best defender at Chelsea right after JT. He brings a lot to the defence when he plays: good and robust tackles (one that strikers and centre forwards hate), good passing range, strong aerial ability and he scores goals too! He reads the game almost as perfect as JT does and is not afraid in any way to get the job done. And oh,he?s the geeeeeeeeeeeezer! Unfortunately for him, he?ll not have the luxury of playing in the DM role with this squad! Kalas seems to me like another Luiz in the making; he?s stylish with the ball when he plays and is not afraid of tackles, at least with what I saw in pre-season. It?s unfortunate he?s had to deal with injuries so early in the season but I think he?ll come good in no time and be revelation this season. He must repay the faith Jos? has had in him with some good displays because there?s much at stake being in the first team at Chelsea!

Need I talk about Cole? I guess not! Undoubtedly he is and has been the most consistent left back over the past decade and he?s still as evergreen as can be. I still feel that he needs to work more on the crosses and try and get in with some goals too! Wow, how he enjoys and loves big games and yes, he?s the best left back in the world and he plays for my team! Ryan Bertrand will come in at some point in the season and I really do hope he takes his chances when he?s presented with. Ryan has not yet hit the standards that fans expect from a Chelsea player but with what I saw in pre-season, he?s paying more attention to detail now and seems more confident. His crosses and cut-ins have left a little to be desired but yet again with Jos? his boss and Cole his mentor, he can only improve. Brana has been great at right back so far, solid and strong and I believe Azpi will not like this! (sarcastically though). Brana is the sort of ?classic? right back every coach would like because he barely fails to tackle. He can also slot into the centre back role,how nice! No wonder he?s enjoying his football. I?ve always been a fan of Azpi ever since he joined and with the season being a long one, he will surely get his chance. The agility and speed with which he plays always excites me any time he plays. He had quite a good season in his first year at Chelsea and I hope it continues.

A bird just whispered into my ears that I forgot to talk about the goal keepers. What about? It?s just simple: Cech, Schwarzer, Hilario and Blackman in that order. Period! #KTBFFH #TRUSTJOSE

Source: DSG

Source: DSG