Azpilicueta: Recognising a Chelsea Legend

VAVEL looks back at the Spaniard's career.

By Robert Calcutt29 August 2020 01:44 BST

Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta celebrates scoring what he thought was the winning goal before referee Gianluca Rocchi ruled the goal out after reviewing it via VAR during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus)

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta celebrated his 31^st birthday this month!

The defender has spent eight seasons at the Blues so far, winning six trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge.

He has made a total of 386 appearances for Chelsea, the fourth highest in the club’s history.

As he celebrates today, VAVEL Chelsea takes a look at his career so far.

Pamplona's prospect

Azpilicueta was born in the Spanish city of Pamplona and spent his youth career at his hometown club Osasuna.

He joined at the age of 12 and then appeared in their reserve team five years later.

Once he turned 18, he was promoted to the first team squad and soon made regular appearances for Los Rojillos.

Move to Marseille

At the end of the 2009/10 season, Azpilicueta joined French side Marseille for around £6.3m.

He only made 21 appearances in his first season there due to an injury to his anterior cruciate ligaments, which left him out of action for six months.

However, he made much more of an impact the next season as he featured 44 times for Les Phocéens and helped them to win the Coupe de la Ligue.

Chelsea come calling

After Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2012, the Blues secured the services of Azpilicueta for around £7m.

He picked up six assists in 48 games in his first season where he mostly played at right-back and helped Chelsea to win the Europa League.

When Jose Mourinho returned to the Blues the next season he shifted Azpilicueta to left-back, and the Spaniard scored his first goal for the club away at Arsenal in the League Cup.

He signed a new five-year contract before the start of the 2014/15 campaign, and won his first Premier League title at the Bridge that season.

Antonio Conte’s arrival in 2016 saw him move from left-back to centre-back as part of Chelsea’s title winning 3-4-3 formation.

He played every single minute of every league game that season and secured his second league title.

Gary Cahill was the club’s captain after John Terry’s departure and when he left the club at the start of the 2019/20 season, Azpilicueta took over the captaincy.

Overall, the defender has had a very successful career at Chelsea.

With six trophies to his name as a Blue, as well as his 13 goals and 49 assists, he will no doubt go down as a Chelsea legend.

He has consistently impressed since arriving back in 2012 and still has many years ahead of him.

Let’s hope he can lead Chelsea to more success next season!