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Chelsea FC’s Top 30 Transfers Of All Time

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates winning the Premier League title after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on May 3, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates winning the Premier League title after the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on May 3, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

27. Cesar Azpilcueta – Fee: £7m

Cesar Azpilicueta may not rival Claude Makelele in the underrated stakes, but he runs a close second. The Spaniard joined Chelsea in the summer of 2012, moving over from Marseille just prior to his 23rd birthday. A somewhat low-profile deal, Azpilicueta had evidently caught the eye of some eager scouts after his 44 appearances in the 2011/12 campaign.

A natural right-back, he took up the position for the bulk of his appearances during his first season with the Blues, including a start in the successful 2013 Europa League final. However, with Jose Mourinho’s return to the club, he found regular playing time and a new calling on the opposite flank.

His appearance tally in excess of 150 has come without much fanfare, as Dave has quietly and effectively gone about his business. His importance to the team was underlined when the Special One once said that he would love to have 11 Azpilicueta’s in his team. His contributions have been materially rewarded with the Premier League and League Cup double achieved in the 2014/15 season, a campaign in which he was integral to everything that the Blues did. He then was a stalwart as Chelsea landed another title under Antonio Conte.

At his current age, Azpilicueta looks set to be a Chelsea stalwart for many more seasons to come.

Next: #26

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