In one of the more hard to understand possible transfer deals, reports suggest Chelsea are “receptive” to moving captain Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, according to El Gol Digital. The Spanish website claims that the 30-year-old has been placed on a list of players the Blues are prepared to sell when the transfer window opens.
El Gol Digital report that the fullback’s exit from Stamford Bridge could be “imminent” with manager Frank Lampard keen to reinforce his options at the back.
It is thought that Chelsea’s interest in Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi was a sign that Azpilicueta’s days at the club were numbered. Although the London club have since cooled their interest in the Moroccan, they are still believed to be looking for a player who could provide long-term competition for Reece James.
Reports of Azpilicueta’s possible departure has piqued the interest of Athletic Bilbao. The La Liga club have a policy of only signing Basque born players and, with the defender having been born in Pamplona, he would qualify to play for them. However when you consider the relationship Azpilicueta has with the Chelsea fans and the club itself it is hard to imagine that there is really any substance to these reports. The player is Blue through and through so it is hard to imagine that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge and it is extremely hard to imagine that Chelsea want to sell one of their most solid, loyal and dedicated players.
Azpilicueta is a Chelsea legend, now captaining the team and has been a mainstay in the first XI for what feels like decades – he is in his 8th season having won the Premier League twice, the Europa League twice, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The Spanish international also was a runner up in the 2012 World Cup.
It is hard to see Azpilicueta leaving or for the club to be keen to move him but maybe the thought of returning to Spain at this stage of his career is appealing. You have to think that the Blues legend will only leave when both he and the club are ready. Knowing the player, he is relishing working under his old teammate Frank Lampard and is looking forward to winning more trophies in West London.