mkrudden
Player Valuation: £40m
yet comfortably still the best left back in the league?
- Status
sageyefc
Player Valuation: £90m
Azpilicuelta
mkrudden
Player Valuation: £40m
Defensively i dont think there is anyone better than Azplilicueta.
But all-round, defensively, offensively, ability on the ball...there is no contest imho.
But there is no doubt that Azplilicueta is "phenomenal".
toffeestillidie
Player Valuation: £35m
Obviously stats don't mean much in football, but I really do think Baines has looked good this season and the few mistakes he's made have overly influenced people's impressions of it.
http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8222/History/Leighton-Baines
To cherry-pick a couple positives, in the league this season he's been dribbled past only once every 2 games (second best in his career), has 2.8 clearances per game (second best in his career), and 1.5 interceptions per games (3rd best in his career). The site doesn't have any stats on headed clearances, but I've noticed far more from him this season than any other. On offense, he's benefited in terms of statistics from the free license Martinez has given him to roam into central attacking positions, as he dribbles past a player .9 times per game (career best), has 9 assists (second best in his career), 2.3 key passes per game (second best in his career), and .1 through-passes per game (career best). Despite the fact that he plays through the centre more often he still averages 1.6 crosses per game, and this doesn't even account for the fact that we've scored off a couple of his corners this year but he didn't get the assist.
In terms of negatives, his passing doesn't seem as great (he still has a very high pass success rate of .85, but to the eye it hasn't looked great this season), but I can't think of much else he's done wrong save for the odd one-off mistake.
http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8222/History/Leighton-Baines
To cherry-pick a couple positives, in the league this season he's been dribbled past only once every 2 games (second best in his career), has 2.8 clearances per game (second best in his career), and 1.5 interceptions per games (3rd best in his career). The site doesn't have any stats on headed clearances, but I've noticed far more from him this season than any other. On offense, he's benefited in terms of statistics from the free license Martinez has given him to roam into central attacking positions, as he dribbles past a player .9 times per game (career best), has 9 assists (second best in his career), 2.3 key passes per game (second best in his career), and .1 through-passes per game (career best). Despite the fact that he plays through the centre more often he still averages 1.6 crosses per game, and this doesn't even account for the fact that we've scored off a couple of his corners this year but he didn't get the assist.
In terms of negatives, his passing doesn't seem as great (he still has a very high pass success rate of .85, but to the eye it hasn't looked great this season), but I can't think of much else he's done wrong save for the odd one-off mistake.
royalblue66
Player Valuation: £70m
But he should be dropped for Garbutt,well that's what I keep reading.
FTY
Player Valuation: £80m
It's almost as if he's getting older as time passes by
Toffeelover
Player Valuation: £80m
Looks like his season is over with this ankle injury.
Doesn't sound too good 
' The left-back is seeing a specialist to determine the cause of a long-running problem and is likely to face reconstructive surgery. '
' The left-back is seeing a specialist to determine the cause of a long-running problem and is likely to face reconstructive surgery. '
krea
Player Valuation: £750k
Oh no... I always worry about how players are going to come back after surgery. Especially when they are aged 30+Doesn't sound too good
' The left-back is seeing a specialist to determine the cause of a long-running problem and is likely to face reconstructive surgery. '
germanblue
Player Valuation: £6m
Out until end of july!
B
Big Fat Sam
Guest
Surely Garbutt now has a great chance to convince Martinez he can make the step up to first choice left back next season. Two games to put in a real message with his performances. From what we've seen he's been as good as Baines offensively this season, and defending has never been Baines' strong point. Luke has to stay and be given lots of game time, he's easily good enough.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article4438602.ece
At least Baines will get the summer for himself to heal if he does need an op especially with the two England games coming up next month.
At least Baines will get the summer for himself to heal if he does need an op especially with the two England games coming up next month.
Toffeelover
Player Valuation: £80m
Begining of the Europa if we are selected.
Toffeelover
Player Valuation: £80m
Doesn't sound too good
' The left-back is seeing a specialist to determine the cause of a long-running problem and is likely to face reconstructive surgery. '
Have never liked this idea of Reconstructive Surgery, especially on a joint, does not bode well to achieve the flexibility he had pre injury.
MartSlinger
Player Valuation: £40m
Back for preseason.
According to Roberto, he's had the ankle problem for THREE years.
According to Roberto, he's had the ankle problem for THREE years.
- Status