Chelsea is currently in the midst of its busiest week since Todd Boehly took over for Roman Abramovich as the club’s owner. The Blues have made two—soon to be three—new signings with Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka in the last few days. They have also struck an agreement with Brighton for versatile defender Marc Cucurella, started discussions with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, continued to negotiate with Leicester City regarding Wesley Fofana and explored numerous other deals. All the while, the club’s hierarchy has been facilitating a plethora of player departures to perfect Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
The team has already lost Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger on contract expiry. Chelsea has been in danger of losing a couple more players to La Liga, specifically the Blaugrana, after Xavi’s side came snooping for Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta. The former seems set to move to Catalonia after the deal for Cucurella becomes official, but Tuchel has expressed his desire for the latter to remain at the club. Azpilicueta has now made a shocking decision regarding his future, according to reports out of Spain on Thursday afternoon.
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has decided to extend his stay with the Blues
The Blues’ captain has told Barcelona that he will remain with his current club next season, Spanish reporter Gerard Romero reported. Azpilicueta wanted his future to be sorted ahead of the Premier League season, which kicks off in two days when Chelsea takes on Everton. The veteran will not only stay at Stamford Bridge this season though. Azpilicueta told Barcelona and Xavi on Thursday that he would be extending his stay in SW6 by another two seasons. Romero claims this news will become official in the coming hours.
This is a shocking U-Turn decision from the 32-year-old, who looked dead-set on leaving London throughout the summer. Tuchel pleaded with the player to try to change his mind on many occasions, and now it seems Chelsea’s reluctance to sell its skipper has paid off. Azpilicueta is seen as one of the most important figures in the Blues’ ranks—both on and off the pitch. His leadership ability is second-to-none and he’s a stand-up individual overall. If these reports are to be believed then Azpilicueta has only done himself another favor as it relates to cementing his status as a club legend amongst the supporters.
What does this mean for the squad make-up though?
If Azpilicueta is staying then this would surely mean the end of the club’s interest in Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries. One would believe that Azpilicueta will have a role similar to his compatriot, Cucurella, on the opposite flank. He can deputize as a right back, right centerback or right wingback, depending on the formation. A failure to add someone like Dumfries or Walker-Peters would essentially open the door for a potential reunion with Southampton fullback Tino Livramento when his buyback clause is activated next summer.
Azpilicueta’s extension also means that the Blues aren’t as desperate to get another centerback through the door. As long as the already-here we go’ed deal for Cucurella is completed without any issues, Chelsea will be able to field a serviceable back line in 2022/23. Tuchel would be able to work with Azpilicueta, Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva and any potential former loanees that may remain. Of course, it’d still be nice to sign Fofana, but beggars cannot be choosers. All of this is to say that the captain choosing to remain at Chelsea would be a massive boost to the Blues ahead of the Premier League campaign.
What do you make of Azpilicueta’s decision? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!