Chelsea: Huge update regarding Cesar Azpilicueta’s future

Chelsea has been punished by the British government as a result of sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich. This has meant that the club has not been able to perform day-to-day operations as regularly scheduled. The sanctions have flipped the club on its head in every way possible. Supporters are having to beg officials to get matchday tickets, pre-match programs are nowhere to be found and the club shop remains shut. However, perhaps the most impactful and important guideline in the sanctions states that the Blues cannot make deals regarding player contracts.

This puts Marina Granovskaia and Co. in a rather precarious position. Chelsea has three players on expiring contracts as things stand and it was already in discussions with at least one summer transfer target. Andreas Christensen, one of the aforementioned players on an expiring contract, has already decided his future; he is on his way to Barcelona. Regardless, the other two individuals—Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger—are hugely important to Thomas Tuchel’s team. The Blues no longer have to worry though as an update was given on Tuesday morning regarding the status of Azpilicueta’s contract.

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s contract has been extended by one year

Azpilicueta’s contract has been extended by one season after he reached the targeted number of appearances. The clause in his deal was triggered before the sanctions hit and it is believed its activation had nothing to do with the impending punishment for the club. The Spaniard is still not guaranteed to stay at the club beyond this summer, but it opens the door for that to happen, even with sanctions still in place. Azpilicueta has been crucial to the success of Tuchel’s side this season, especially given the lengthy of absences of Reece James at numerous points.

The club captain’s contract talks have been an elephant in the room for quite some time around SW6. Azpilicueta’s refrained from discussing a deal until the end of the campaign in order to focus on his football. He’s been able to hold discussions with other European clubs since the beginning of January, but despite vultures circling for the veteran, he’s refused to talk to these suitors as a way to display his commitment to the club.

The 32-year-old has made 35 appearances across all competitions thus far. He’s played a part in helping the Blues keep 17 clean sheets during that time, also chiming in with two timely goals and three assists. Alas, the most impressive stat regarding the Spaniard—and one that speaks to his discipline on the pitch—is the fact he has received just one yellow card in 2,800+ minutes this season. Azpilicueta’s versatility has helped Chelsea rotate between a back three and a back four depending on which personnel has been available to Tuchel at certain points this year.

The contract extension solely means that there is little chance Azpilicueta departs on a free contract this summer, which was the fear of everyone around the club. What the future holds for the lovable skipper is largely up to him. He’s put in an incredible decade-long shift at Stamford Bridge and he’s already won everything there is to win after lifting the FIFA Club World Cup last month. Simply put, if he wishes to go play elsewhere, nobody at Chelsea is going to hold him back.

Azpilicueta’s situation is similar to that of Olivier Giroud last summer, who had his contract extended just so the Blues could cash in on their departing striker. AC Milan came in and paid €2 million (£1.7 million) for his services. Azpilicueta has been on Barcelona’s radar for quite awhile, so the Catalan giants could swoop in with a similar offer for the Spanish international this summer.

Where do you reckon Azpilicueta suits up to play next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!