Cesar Azpilicueta shines for Chelsea, somehow ignored by Spain
Cesar Azpilicueta is Chelsea’s perfect unsung hero: hard-working, understated and crisply efficient. Somehow, Spain’s national team fails to notice all that he does for Chelsea.
Diego Costa and Eden Hazard get most of the attention for their brilliance, which has taken Chelsea to the top of the table. At the other end of the pitch, a flamboyantly-coiffed David Luiz attracts plenty of notice, for good reasons and bad. Overshadowed by everything going on around him, Cesar Azpilicueta continues to be Chelsea’s unheralded, but absolutely vital, workhorse.
Chelsea bought Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille in 2012 for a £7.5 million. As far as long-term value and bargain business goes, Azpilicueta was an outright steal. Despite having to compete with Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand for his place in the team, the Spaniard made 24 starts in the 2012/13 season.
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Although predominately a right-back, Azpilicueta made the most of an Ashley Cole injury by slotting in at left-back. Branislav Ivanovic was on form on Chelsea’s right side. He and Azpilicueta then began Chelsea’s long-familiar back four, flanking John Terry and Gary Cahill.
Chelsea’s defence have been unbreakable ever since Antonio Conte introduced the 3-4-3 formation. The Spanish international has been at the heart of it. After a brief return to his natural right-back position, Azpilicueta became Chelsea’s third centre-back.
Playing in a back-three formation, Azpilicueta has flourished alongside Gary Cahill and David Luiz. The trio have conceded only two goals in nine games. Even Pep Guardiola’s title-favourite Manchester City were unable to break down the Blues’ defence, needing a Gary Cahill own goal to get on the score sheet.
Chelsea have given up only 11 goals overall in the Premier League. This is the fewest in the league (tied with Tottenham) and four fewer than Arsenal. Chelsea have also kept clean sheets in half of their Premier League games.
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Much of the credit is due to Cesar Azpilicueta and the unity among the three centre-backs. Azpilicueta has played every minute of the campaign for Antonio Conte. Last season he played 37 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League ties, and played 29 in Chelsea’s 2014/15 title winning season
However, this is not reciprocated internationally. Azpilicueta has struggled to start with the Spanish international team. He only played in two games in their 2016 European Championships campaign. Despite his consistent performances for his club, he has never found his place in his country’s side.
Compared to last season, Azpilicueta is more versatile than ever. Conte’s change in formation has transitioned him from a full back to a centre back. Azpilicueta continues to develop different skills whilst playing in this new formation. He is even a likely goal of the year contender for his strike against Leicester City in the EFL Cup.
Cesar Azpilicueta looks to be part of Antonio Conte’s plan for Chelsea in the long run. This is good news to many Chelsea supporters. ‘Dave’ is extremely popular throughout the fan base, as well as among the players. He was the players’ Player of the Year for the 2013/2014 season.
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If Azpilicueta continues to perform the way he has for Chelsea, perhaps Spain’s new coach Julen Lopetegui will perk up and take notice. There is little else remaining for Azpilicueta to do to prove himself as a potentially key player for his international side.