Barcelona Weigh Up Move For Chelsea Right-Back

Barcelona Weigh Up Move For Chelsea Right-Back

The 24-year-old Cesar Azpilicueta has played only a bit part role under Jose Mourinho this season, and his only appearance thus far has been as an 89th minute substitute during the club’s 0-0 draw away to Manchester United last month.

This is in stark contrast to the previous season, when former interim manager Rafael Benitez considered Azpilicueta his number one right-sided defender as he went to make 48 appearances in all competitions for the club. The current Napoli coach preferred to deploy Branislav Ivanovic, Mourinho’s first-choice right-back, in the centre of defence with Azpilicueta as the full-back.

This may be due to the fact that Mourinho prefers his captain John Terry in place of Ivanovic at the heart of the Blues’ defence, with the latter being shifted to right-back ahead of Azpilicueta.

The Spanish international arrived at Stamford Bridge only last August when then-Blues manager Roberto Di Matteo bought him from Marseille in a £7 million deal. However, it seems the defender may well be on the move as he is no longer guaranteed a starting spot in the Blues’ line-up under the ‘Special One’.

Having impressed in the right-back role last season, there will be no shortage of suitors for Azpilicueta. According to Metro, Spanish powerhouses Barcelona are interested in his services as they ponder a January move for the Spanish defender.

The reigning La Liga champions are keen to reinforce their defence after their failings in the Champions League last season, when they were demolished 7-0 on aggregate by eventual winners Bayern Munich.

The report suggests that second-choice right-back Martin Montoya is frustrated with his limited playing time behind Dani Alves, and has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window.

If Barca do lose Montoya, they have targeted Azpilicueta as an alternative, and are increasingly monitoring his situation before making a move.

Azpilicueta did feature for the Blues in their Capital One Cup clash at Swindon on Tuesday night which indicates that he is in the second tier of the Chelsea squad under Mourinho.