Cesar Azpilicueta may have played his last game for Chelsea after a tremendous 10 years at the club. In his time as a Chelsea player, the Spaniard has won two Premier League titles, one Champions League, an FA Cup and a league cup.
The defender has been a key player for the Blues again this season, making 45 appearances to help the club win the Super Cup, Club World Cup and secure a top-four finish. Azpilicueta has operated as a centre-back in a three-man defence and as a right-wing back under Thomas Tuchel.
After what could be his final game as a Chelsea player due to reported transfer interest from Barcelona, the club's captain was given a standing ovation and spoke to the potential new owner of the club, Todd Boehly, along with a number of other directors of the club.
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Azpilicueta was given a microphone as he thanked Chelsea fans. He said: "I just want to say thank you because we have played many, many games. We always felt the support. We felt a strong connection."
Azpilicueta also announced that Mason Mount was Chelsea's player of the season and awarded him with the trophy.
Chelsea are expected to strengthen their backline in order to replace the outgoing Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen - with Jules Kounde being heavily linked to the club At 32 years old, Azpilicueta is entering the twilight of his glittering career – and a return to his homeland is understood to appeal. Barcelona have made their interest known and are believed to be willing to offer Azpilicueta a three-year contract at the Camp Nou.
The defender's current Chelsea deal – courtesy of a one-year extension triggered in March – runs until 2023. So the Blues do not have to say goodbye to Azpilcieuta this summer. However, club legends, such as Didier Drogba and Petr Cech, have previously been allowed to depart on their own terms, and Tuchel believes Azpilicueta is owed the same treatment.
"He deserves it," the Chelsea head coach said. "And I listen to my captain. He has been at this club for more than a decade, so he has this right. This is my opinion.
"He is everything Chelsea is about, and I am so, so happy he is the captain because he is humble, hard-working, a nice guy and a polite guy. I am happy that in football, it's possible a guy like this can win all the trophies. That sets the example. It sets the tone. It sets the atmosphere at a very high level.
"This is absolutely clear, but there are more layers and levels we have to consider. It is also whether he can give all that, whether he is fully committed. If he cannot get rid of this feeling [about wanting a new challenge], we have to talk about it openly, seriously, and respectfully because he deserves it."
