Cesar Azpilicueta is a quiet hero, a covert legend. Having joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2013 for the price of £6.5 million, few would have thought the Spanish defender would have developed into one of Chelsea’s most reliable players of all time.
Yet, as is now well known to just about everyone interested in Premier League football, Chelsea have a slightly inconvenient problem tumbling their way in the form of various defenders running out of contract in the next two seasons.
One of those defenders is club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who has been on the Barcelona radar for some time now.
Whilst reports linking the 32-year-old to Camp Nou have been making headlines for some time, there has been a spike in reports following fellow Spaniard and former blue Cesc Fabregas hinting that this move is “almost done” when speaking to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero on his Twitch show Jijantes.
Nonetheless, in true Azpilicueta style, he refuses to fully engage with the media circus that surrounds every Barcelona transfer by stating that:
‘Of course, I arrived in the summer of 2012 and I didn’t have kids. My kids were born in London and you know how I feel about Chelsea…but I am not going to comment on my future.’
Azpilicueta has the opportunity to become the first chelsea player in history to win every possible major honour with the club if his team are successful against Brazilian giants Palmerias.
Whether Chelsea win or not, 'Dave' will go down as a Chelsea legend. Few if any will begrudge him a move back to Spain for a fresh challenge as he enters the latter stages of his career.
This move could benefit both parties as Chelsea look to evolve into a more youthful side whilst Barcelona are swimming against the tide and could use some world-class professionalism.
Whatever happens, Azpilicueta will always have the respect and support of every Chelsea supporter.
