Cesar Azpilicueta: Chelsea captain signs new two-year contract to quell Barcelona speculations | Football news
Cesar Azpilicueta has committed his future to Chelsea by extending his contract with the Blues until 2024.
The Chelsea captain has enjoyed another two years of his West London stay, thwarting Barcelona’s long-term pursuit of the 32-year-old.
The Spain full-back joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2012 and has swept the club’s major trophies since then, with the 2021 Champions League and 2022 Club World Cup completed.
The long-serving defender automatically triggered an additional year to his Chelsea contract at the end of last term, but has now committed to a longer extension to his Stamford Bridge tenure.
Boss Thomas Tuchel is understood to be determined to retain Azpilicueta following the departures of Toni Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, particularly given his leadership and influence at the Blues.
Azpilicueta said: “I am really happy to have extended my stay at Chelsea, my home. “It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve come and joined the club for the first time, so I really feel the love and I’m really excited about the new project we have in hand.
“I would like to thank (Chelsea owners) Todd (Boehly) and Behdad (Eghbali) for giving me the opportunity to continue my journey at this great club and I really look forward to continuing. our adventure.
“I’m a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together.”
Azpilicueta’s decision to join Chelsea will prove a huge boost for Tuchel, with the Blues continuing to reshape both their defence and their overall squad.
The arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly adds real quality, steel and gray matter to the centre-back, but Azpilicueta’s leadership ability and Premier League experience remain items highly prized by Tuchel.
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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says they need to sign top-quality players like Raheem Sterling to challenge for the Premier League
Chelsea will keep pushing to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton, with Levi Colwill still likely to go the other way, on loan or permanently.
The Blues are understood to be also interested in Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters.
Leicester’s Wesley Fofana is another Chelsea target, but the Foxes’ valuation could be prohibitive.
Azpilicueta’s new deal will ease pressure on the Blues’ signings, especially if Marcos Alonso goes on to complete his move to Barcelona later this summer.
“We are delighted that Cesar will stay at Chelsea for at least two more years,” said Chelsea chairman and co-owner Boehly.
“We are delighted that our captain has demonstrated his commitment and exemplary leadership once again. There is still a lot of work to be done together.”
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Watch Marc Cucurella’s best Premier League moments before he potentially moves to Chelsea from Brighton
Cucurella made a transfer request on Friday in a bid to push for a move to Man City but Chelsea have now signed him.
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