Cesar Azpilicueta has told Chelsea to go and make history by claiming a maiden Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi.
Chelsea can break new ground by lifting the Club World Cup crown this week, and victory would complete Azpilicueta’s trophy clean sweep at club level.
The Blues skipper has tasted success in every other major club competition, and now wants to complete the set.
Azpilicueta was among Chelsea’s unsuccessful 2012 Club World Cup tilt, and has warned his teammates just how tough a task faces Thomas Tuchel’s side in the United Arab Emirates.
“It is very difficult to win this kind of tournament,” said Azpilicueta. “I think after 10 years I realise how difficult it is. We lost the final against Corinthians (in 2012) and maybe I had a different feeling.
“It was my first season, we were in every competition, and maybe it looked easier than it was.
“In time you realise how difficult it is. First of all you have to qualify for the Champions League then go all the way and win that, just to be here. So we have to make the most of it.
“Losing in 2012 hurt a lot and this is the only competition the club hasn’t won. To win it for the first time for the club would be huge. We have to give everything we have on the pitch. It has great meaning for everybody, and we are representing Europe.”
Chelsea will start their Club World Cup campaign at the semi-final stage, taking on Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
Azpilicueta knows full well the scale of the task at hand to win the entire tournament, and insists Chelsea will not take their semi-final encounter lightly.
The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer and might just be entering the business end of a season with Chelsea for the final time, with the likes of Barcelona heavily interested in his services.
The Stamford Bridge skipper has rejected any personal concerns however, with his focus fully on securing yet more glory for the 2021 Champions League winners.
“My future is not the most important thing right now, my main target is to win the trophy and then we will see what happens with my future,” said Azpilicueta.
“I think everyone is trying to create their own history within the history of the club.
“Through the years we’ve seen many, many world-class players, managers and everybody at the club try to help increase the trophy cabinet of this club.
“And we are part of that now. So when the time arrives you want to make the most of it.
“It’s true we have our own opportunity to create history and to win a trophy nobody has won at Chelsea. Hopefully we’ll be the ones to do it.”
