He has been my favourite player for so long but now he looks very slow and cumbersome the last few months and mistakes now seem constant, all great players grow old but it looks like his time is up (unfortunately)
I don't think that we can afford to have King in the squad, especially if we persist with either Gallas or Nelsen. He's been immense, but he can't carry on like this forever and I hate the idea that he might actually do himself some permanent damage in the long run. Kaboul, Dawson, Caulker, plus two new signings, for me.
I reckon that, if he's rested properly, he'll have another season in him - but this requires better rotation. The pecking order for next season should be like this... Kaboul New CB (Vertonghen?) Dawson/Caulker/King/Nelsen One(s) for the future (Bruno Uvini/Julian Velazquez/Jores Okore) NexGen CB (Veljkovic et al) Dawson and Caulker can be rotated in and out throughout the season in all competitions, King for games where we need a calmer head at the back, and Nelsen for lower priority games where he can offer guidance to Caulker (for example, if we draw a team from League One or Two in the FA or Carling Cups), whilst the ones for the future will be loaned out to gain experience for when King and Nelsen hang up their boots.
To be fair to Caulker, he is something of an unknown quantity at this stage of his development. He could well be another find like Walker. God, I hope so. Along with Kaboul, we may just well have two young athletic CB's that can play a bit. Something we haven't had for many a year.
A certain degree of rotation is required, not least based on injury and suspension, plus we need to give Caulker some opportunities without throwing him in at the deep end. If we have Kaboul and Vertonghen* as the first choice in the Premier League/Europe, but rest them for the Carling Cup games - and games if one has a knock - we'd be stronger at the back because their replacements will have had some game time, rather than stagnating until it's their turn as has happened this season. I'm not saying tinker the pairing every game, but two things we need is first-choice players to avoid burn-out and their replacements be ready to step in for a few games, which a certain amount of rotation will allow. And, no, I don't mean five minute cameos in games we're coasting to a win in, as happens at the moment.
humanbeingincroydon, i'm going to assume you're the trusted brother of Vertonghen as going by your posts, the ink dried on his contract a few months back!
As with Rasmus Elm, we supposedly have an agreement for their arrival at the end of the season. Hopefully that stands up better than our first refusal on Internacional players...
Should never have started today or against Norwich. The minute I saw his name on the team sheet I was convinced Chelsea would win. I laughed when I saw an article saying Spurs were 'boosted' by the availability of King, I thought straight away the only team that's boosted is Chelsea. I didn't see the whole game, but I've been convinced for months now that King is finished, and I doubt had I watched after Drogba scored I would have changed my mind. It seems ridiculously unfair on Nelsen who's looked solid that he keeps getting overlooked. Nelsen must play v QPR, the only question is with who? I read that Kab will probably miss the Rangers game, if so is there a case for Walker to play CB, or do we go with Gallas and have another 'old uns pairing?'
Said it after Norwich- Yes , with a very heavy heart I have to say he is finished. It is sad and I feel gutted to say it but it's time to move on without Ledley. Thanks for the good times.
The Goons seem to think Verthongen will be joining them in the summer, and to tell you the truth I wouldn't blame him based on our last few months.
I'd go further. I think most of our defence needs overhauling. Poor Ledley is clearly not up to it anymore. He can't turn, and his pace has gone. Gallas similarly, is up to his sell by date. I have never been entirely convinced by Benny, as popular as he is on here. I'm afraid he's gone back to his worst - a defensive accident waiting to happen! I believe Walker will develop into a fine RB. However, he needs to be more defensively aware. In short, for me, we need at least one new top quality CB - preferably two. A new LB. and definitely a new GK. I know we were chasing the game yesterday, but we were a defensive shambles at times. Right back to the bad old days.
I love Ledley King but no time to be sentimental. King, Gallas, Bassong and Nelsen all to go. Keep Kaboul, Dawson and Caulker and sign a quality centre back - Vertonghen hopefully.
Sadly i think Ledley's time is up and the club should develope him into a coach.Gallas should retire to and i would get rid of Kaboul and benny as the defence is not good enough.
I think Gallas was more culpable yesterday than Ledley. A partnership that couldn't cope, but King was better than Gallas, who should retire.
Chelsea have a quite strong attacking front line with a lot of pace so what do we do? yer sure put Ledley and Gallas in defence with carlo in goal??? oh how me miss Dawson
Exactly. Rotating centre backs is last thing a good manager does. You need a settled partnership, and good CB's to come in when injuries and suspensions occur. Can't believe people actually think CB's should be rotated.
For me, Dawson and Kaboul, with Caulker and Nelsen as back up. Ledley could have a player coach role, but mainly on the bench to organise when we are holding on to a lead. Gallas just needs to go to America or China for a last pay day, cause he has got nothing left to offer at this level.
I can see both King and Nelsen being used as a sort of player coach next season - both will be instrumental in aiding the development of Caulker. As for not rotating centre backs, as I said I'm not advocating chopping and changing on a weekly basis (we'll just leave that to managers who never win anything, like Alex Ferguson...), but in September-November we will be balancing League, Carling Cup, and European football - we have the opportunity to give playing time to Caulker, Nelsen and King. Of course, there's also the issue that Dawson might not be ready when the team reports back for training, and he will be short of fitness and match practice - in other words, if we draw some League Two no-hopers in the Carling Cup, he'll need a run out for several reasons.
So what do we do for QPR? Nelsen is a certainty for me, but who else? Can we risk Walker and Smith at RB. I'd want Rose in at LB too as I'm fed up with Benny, but too many changes? Boy, will Harry have some tough calls to make. He failed against Norwich, he failed against Chelsea, will he fail again v QPR, I suspect he will.
