Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Cesar Azpilicueta reveals why he snubbed Barcelona in favour of Chelsea deal: ‘I wanted to stay committed’

Cesar Azpilicueta has explained why he changed his mind to stay at Chelsea, despite a six-month pursuit by Barcelona.

The captain was expected to move back to his native Spain but decided to extend his contract by a year until 2024 after talks with head coach Thomas Tuchel and the new owners.

“Yes, the conversations were there [with Barcelona], all around the club,” Azpilicueta said, after he helped Chelsea to a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday.

“After the Club World Cup, where I became the only player to ever win every trophy, [I felt] it was the time to go back to Spain. But then everything happened with this club. I wanted to stay committed. I never did anything against my club. We had private conversations where I said everything.

“I have never been in a transfer market situation in 10 years. It was different. The last time was Marseille and this time the contract situation made it different because I had this clause [to extend my deal] after a number of games.

Cesar Azpilicueta signed a new two-year contract at Chelsea despite Barcelona’s interest (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

“For a period I was a free agent and who knows what could have happened then? I decided to stay silent because there was already enough noise around me. I didn’t want to make it worse because I wanted to stay focused on my game.”

Azpilicueta spoke of the significance of winning the Club World Cup in February.

“It was a turning point,” said the 32-year-old. “I tried so hard to win this trophy. At that moment I felt differently. At that moment it was like, ‘wow, I have won everything for this club’, so maybe a new chapter arrives. It’s true that at the last break my performances were not as good as before.

“I paid a big price for playing from December to February. I think I played the most minutes and I did it playing wing-back. Of course, I am not getting younger and it is a position that demands a lot of energy every three days.

“I think all the emotions, feelings and tiredness made me feel like this. In the last two months [of the season], I wasn’t as good physically as before.”

Azpilicueta’s new deal offers him a modest pay rise and a challenge to knit together the project under the new owners.

“I am really excited, otherwise [I wouldn’t sign],” he said. “The owners wanted me to stay here to lead the team both on and off the pitch. It’s a big thank-you to them. They were very honest and transparent from the first day. I felt a responsibility to stay here in my home.

“We have a new project, with new players and youngsters coming in. I feel ready to look forward.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.