Chelsea made hard work of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League last night but one player who stood out in the 2-1 win against Lille was Cesar Azpilicueta.
The 30-year-old was reinstated at right-back following a few games on the opposite flank, and he made a telling contribution by heading in the second goal from a corner.
Fans on Twitter have been praising Azpilicueta’s dependability and work ethic:
Mr Reliable
— Nnamdi (@Nnam_dii) December 10, 2019
Top 3 players this decade and definitely a legend
— Aryan (@aryann1501) December 11, 2019
True captain
— Nathino (@Nathino__Nathi) December 11, 2019
53 appearances to go before he cracks Chelsea's top 10 'all time appearances list'
Proper stalwart
— Admir (@theBlueYank) December 11, 2019
All the folks slaying Azpi,he is our captain, done so much for us, easily falls in team of the decade for epl, close your eyes and imagine some other defender doing what azpi did today and you will see azpi is top top quality and isnt done yet. sqad has so much to learn from him
— Subham Dangol (@sdang003) December 11, 2019
Rotation with Reece will yield better azpi performances ?
— Matthew Tyrpin (@MatthewETyrpin) December 10, 2019
Love him – what a professional
— Elizabeth Helenek (@elizabethhhh_28) December 10, 2019
He's a club legend, no two ways about it…. Love him
— ? (@Sita_suave) December 10, 2019
He has been amazing
— MR CHELSEA (@jacobnnie) December 10, 2019
Captain Fantastic Azpi ???
— Sandipan CFC (@SandipanCFC) December 10, 2019
In the long term, supporters would like to see Reece James take Azpilicueta’s place in the side, but the youngster could learn a thing or two from his captain.
The fullback is a reliable leader in the side, who manager Frank Lampard can count on, and while he may not offer so much in the attacking third of the pitch, he more than makes up for it with his defensive qualities.
Whether he will be moved back to left-back to make room for James against Bournemouth this weekend, we shall have to wait and see.