Chelsea: Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill still waiting for their World Cup debut
By George Perry
Chelsea’s most experienced and dependable players are the only two who have not yet taken the pitch at the World Cup. Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta are still waiting to make their mark in Russia.
Being captain or vice-captain of Chelsea FC just doesn’t go as far as it used to. Of the 14 Blues at the World Cup, the only two who have not played are Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta. The two cornerstones of Chelsea’s defence last season and for much of the past five seasons have watched from the sidelines as less experienced compatriots moved England and Spain to the round of 16.
Azpilicueta’s omission is less understandable, but Cahill has a better chance of playing first. Azpilicueta’s best opportunity may have been in Spain’s opener. Dani Carvajal was unavailable due to injury. But newly-appointed interim manager Fernando Hierro chose Nacho Fernandez over Azpilicueta.
Nacho has far less experience for club and country than Azpilicueta. He exposed himself within the first five minutes by fouling Cristiano Ronaldo, who summarily pummeled the ensuing spot kick into the net. Overall, Nacho had a far weaker and less astute game than anything Cesar Azpilicueta would produce. Nacho made up for his 4′ indiscretion with a go-ahead screamer in the 58′. But the goal scarcely justified Hierro’s decision. The goal was a stroke of isolated brilliance, much like Azpilicueta’s goal against Leicester in the 2016/17 EFL Cup. Neither man is on the pitch to score. No one expects them to score any goals, ugly or beautiful. When they do, they are equally appreciated and unforeseen.
Once Carvajal returned to full fitness, he consigned Nacho to the bench alongside Azpilicueta. Carvajal has yet to prove himself any more solid for Spain than he is for Real Madrid. Spain fell behind twice to Morocco in the final group stage match, keeping the question marks hovering over the side.
Gary Cahill may benefit from the dead rubber between England and Belgium, and the perverse incentives of the bracket. Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez are both considering heavy rotation for their group stage finale. The winner of the match will arguably have a harder road through the quarterfinals, so losing is not the worst possible outcome. However, Southgate is acutely aware of what the loss of momentum did to England in Euro 2016. He will only take his foot off the gas so much.
If Southgate opts to rotate his defenders, Cahill would be first up to replace John Stones or Harry Maguire. The low stakes of the game would greatly limit Cahill’s opportunity to do his usual thing and re-earn his place in the starting XI.
Then again, Belgium have the offence of the tournament so far. They have the same number of goals as England: eight. But the Red Devils have a more balanced and varied attack through Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens. While Martinez will likely rest at least Lukaku and Hazard on Thursday, the rest of the lineup are no slackers. If Cahill can shut down some combination of Michy Batshuayi, Mertens, Lukaku, Christian Benteke and a Hazard or two, he may give Southgate something to think about.
Another route Cahill can take to England’s starting XI for the knockout round is the same he took at Chelsea: steady leadership. England has been impressively cohesive and disciplined this tournament, albeit without facing a significant challenge. If Southgate heavily rotates against Belgium and the team wavers under their onslaught or the newness of their XI, Cahill can step up with the benefit of his experience and presence. The pressure will only mount as England march through the tournament. So far, they have handled it with grace. But if necessary, Cahill will be there to handle it with resolve.
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Chelsea know how important Cesar Azpilicueta is to the club, and how resilient Gary Cahill has been against every threat to his standing. Their national team coaches will hopefully recognize these qualities, too, particularly if their World Cup ambitions are on the line. Both players are too important and offer too much to spend their days in Russia on the bench.