Why Jose Mourinho's right to drop Ashley Cole for Cesar Azpilicueta

Ashley Cole

Cesar Azpilicueta has been preferred to Ashley Cole in the left-back spot recently but is Jose Mourinho right to promote the traditionally right-sided player into an unconventional role or should the England centurion be brought back into reckoning?

In dropping Juan Mata in the early stages of his Chelsea return, Mourinho has had to endure more question marks than he ever experienced during a trophy-laden first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. Now he faces more, after dropping Cole to the bench.

When Leighton Baines lost Alexis Sanchez for Chile’s opening goal in a 2-0 win over England on Friday, it naturally evoked comparisons with Cole’s defensive worth. And the consensus was that, for all of Baines’ talent when going over the halfway line, there still remain flaws to be ironed out in the defensive side of his game.

Cole possesses the international know-how Baines currently lacks and would normally be expected to start the World Cup in Brazil – potentially his last of course – as the first-choice in his position.

But, having found himself out-of-favour for his club side due to what his manager described as a performance he “did not like” in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, a palpable question mark has arisen as to whether Cole can oust Azpilicueta from a position he has not so much made his own as he has cemented since arriving in 2006.

It seems remarkable that Mourinho, such a wily old tactical fox, would deem the right-footed Azpilicueta in an unorthodox left-sided role a better fit than Cole but the Spaniard has impressed since being reinstated to first-team contention after the shock setback on Tyneside, starting both games since.

It presents a personal setback of its own for Cole and couldn’t have been timed any worse given the need to perform on a consistent basis to secure a World Cup squad berth. Baines may have failed his latest audition in some respects but his club form has not gone unnoticed and Hodgson has conceded Cole’s status as an untouchable in the backline is a thing of the past.

Mourinho believes Cole is a “fighter”, someone who will regain his position namely through the frustration and anger of not being on the pitch but the Portuguese must have foreseen something about the reserve right-back to thrust him into such a crucial position while also handing Cole a short-term relief of his duties.

Banished to the sidelines may be more apt but, either way, it is undoubtedly cause for concern for fans of Chelsea and the national team alike. Would it be too simple to suggest this is merely a slight drop in standards from a man touted for years as the world’s greatest in his position?

The stats would seem to back up Mourinho’s argument, if only to a degree. While it cannot be said that Cole’s performances have fallen far below some of his peers, his Performance Score of just 135 across his nine appearances so far this term ranks as the lowest from the four players to make the most outings (Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Gary Cahill and Cole himself).

And, akin to the problems Baines has experienced at international level, it is Cole’s work upfield which has impressed more than his defensive output. The seven chances he has carved out, albeit none of them converted, dismiss any suggestion the former Arsenal man may have lost his offensive instincts in recent times and also puts him top of the list of defensive creators, with fellow full-back Ivanovic his closest competitor on six.

Equally, amongst the top passers from the back, Cole comes in third with an impressive 90% but given Ryan Bertrand has only played once, his 97% pass success rate provides an ever so slightly erroneous account. The fact Cole falls just behind Chelsea’s standout defender so far this year in John Terry illustrates his value on the ball.

Average Pass Accuracy

But when placed in the context of the first third of the pitch, Cole’s numbers read less impressively. Three defensive actions, encompassing both interceptions and clearances, are far from good enough from a player of Cole’s experience. If Bertrand’s passing accuracy numbers should not be taken into consideration then it is worth noting at the same time, that he managed four in his solitary appearance, transcending Cole’s grand sum.

Average Defensive Actions

Likewise, his average duels success are significantly lower than the rest of his defensive coequals with 42%. His headed duel success is particular cause for concern, with just 31% of headers won.

Intriguingly he has only triumphed when taking on the opposition 18% of the time, which subverts from the school of thought his attacking forays have come to prove his saving grace. When you then add in that just six players in the Blues’ entire squad post worse figures, Mourinho’s decision to wield the axe on Cole becomes a far more comprehensible judgment call.

So where does Azpilicueta fit into all this? After all, his two appearances since being welcomed back into the fold make up just under a quarter of his appearance tally so far this campaign. But it’s equally important not to detract from the former Marseille man’s ameliorated form.

His display against Schalke was the embodiment of solidarity rather than spectacularity by sticking to his defensive guns as he minded the gate reliably enough. He completed 80% of his tackles, 100% of his headed duels and also had an inch-perfect success rate with his clearances, with an interception to boot.

César Azpilicueta Duels Won vs Schalke

A few days later, his performance against West Brom would mirror his midweek exploits, turning in a touch better figures from a defensive perspective and an improvement on his passing (90% up from 88%) meant Azpilicueta was the rare, perhaps even sole, bright note to be taken from a lacklustre draw with the Baggies.

César Azpilicueta Passes vs West Brom (90% Pass Accuracy)

Where the 24-year-old upstages Cole is through such numbers near his own goal and, when you give thought to Mourinho’s decision to field Andre Schurrle as a ‘false nine’ in the bore draw with Manchester United earlier this season, it backs up the argument that the Blues’ head honcho places more emphasis on obtaining a healthier goals away record than the goals for equivalent.

Azpilicueta’s average duels won in the Premier League are the joint-sixth highest in the Blues’ squad but, not dissimilar to Bertrand’s efforts, this particular stat is blurred through a lack of first-team status. Still, his 71% tackling success and 50% headed duel success – upgrades on Cole’s totals – should not be ignored.

César Azpilicueta Average Duals Won (Premier League)

The fact Mourinho himself believes Cole will win back his spot in time inks a somewhat inauspicious writing on the wall for Azpiliecueta’s first-team fortunes but a manager who looks increasingly weary from piecing together his latest Chelsea project must base selection in this particular debate on form and nothing else.

Put plainly, Cole must play his way back into contention rather than rely on his standing amongst the ranks. There’s no sense of entitlement to be found in any of the Chelsea side this term, just ask Mata.