Chelsea captain, Cesar Azpilicueta has narrated why he snubbed Barcelona and decided to remain with Chelsea, despite his interest to move to his home club.
Barcelona has booked the Chelsea captain amidst their transfer window challenges in terms of their ability to lure top players to Catalonia because of financial troubles this summer but were disappointed at his decision to remain with Chelsea, signing another contract until 2024.
César Azpilicueta Tanco was born on the 28th of August 1989. He is a Spanish professional footballer who currently plays as a right-back or center-back for Premier League club Chelsea and the Spain senior team.
Upon joining Chelsea from Marseille on 24 August 2012, the 32-year-old had helped the club win several trophies like Premier League (2014/15 and 2016/17), FA Cup (2017/18), League Cup (2014/15), Champions League (2020/21), Europa League (2012/13 and 2018/19), and UEFA Super Cup (2021).
After the 1-0 victory against Everton last Saturday, Azplicueta confessed that truly he was interested in joining Barcelona since he has spent 10 years with the Blues already.
“Yes, the conversations were there [with Barcelona],” Azplicueta confessed.
“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. But then everything happened with this club. I wanted to stay committed to the club. I never did anything against my club.
“We had private conversations where I said everything. We had players leaving and I have never been in a transfer market situation in 10 years. It was different. For a period I was a free agent and who knows what could have happened in that period?
“I decided to stay silent because I think there was already enough noise around me. I didn’t want to make it worse because I wanted to stay focused on my game.
“It was a turning point at the Club World Cup. I tried so hard to win this trophy. At that moment I felt differently. It was like, ‘Wow, I have won everything for this club so maybe a new chapter arrives.”
Note that Chelsea head coach; Thomas Tuchel and new club owner Todd Boehly were not pleased letting go of the captain after the departure of Toni Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as they felt Azplicueta’s goodbye too would no doubt cause a crack in Chelsea’s defense.
The captain, however, revealed how he had meetings with the management of the London club, Chelsea, the ulterior being keeping the captain in the club.
He said: “I had a meeting with the new owners. They 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. My family are happy here. We have a new project with new players and youngsters coming in. I feel right and ready to look forward.”
The London team went through tough times last season due to the sanctions placed upon the club in connection with the ordeal of the former Russian owner, Abramovich.
However, the Blues fought hard amidst the sanction as they finished top four in the Premier League; thanks to the head coach Thomas Tuchel and their great captain, Cesar Azplicueta.
Azpilicueta, in his desire to do more for Chelsea, has extended his contract with the club by two years. It’s of no doubt a lot is expected from the captain as another league season kicks off.
Even though their first match in the Premier League went well as they clitch an away victory against Everton last weekend, Chelsea’s fans will hope the blues continue with this vibe when they meet their arch contenders like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, and Manchester United. Indeed, the fight with the big guns will not be easy for Chelsea this season.
