Cesar Azpilicueta has agreed a new two-year contract at Chelsea after rejecting a summer transfer to Barcelona.
The 32-year-old club captain was heavily linked with a move to Spain but a switch was being stalled due to Chelsea searching for defensive replacements.
It has been a frustrating summer for Thomas Tuchel in the summer transfer window, missing out on Jules Kounde, Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt, but he has managed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly.
As Barcelona piled the pressure on, Tuchel wasn’t too happy about the way they handled the situation and admitted last month that he wouldn’t grant Azpilicueta his wish of a departure if it didn’t suit the club and team.
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He said: “I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants.
“At some point it is about what we want. I just made the comparison about how much we fought for Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.
“He is a hugely important player for Napoli but we have a Spanish international who is the captain at Chelsea. I see him maybe at the same level but Barcelona don’t see him on that level. So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player.
“We don't think so much about other clubs. The focus is on us and what we need. I said that to him and I say it to you that I understand on a personal and a career level.
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"But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants. I am a manager for Chelsea who wants to do what's best for Chelsea.
“He doesn't like it but he understands. It is tough for him because the other club is permanently on him.
"On September 1 when things calm down, then he can play on his highest level.”
Barcelona’s pursuit continued as Azpilicueta still eyed a move to the Camp Nou, but as reported by Gerard Romero in Spain, the Spain international wanted his future sorted by the start of the Premier League season, which gets underway this weekend.
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Barcelona asked for a few more days to resolve their Financial Fair Play issue with La Liga but the defender didn’t want to wait, and informed Xavi and the club of his decision on Thursday morning to snub a move.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that Azpilicueta has agreed and signed a new two-year deal at Stamford Bridge, extending his current deal by a year until 2024.
The report stated that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has been determined to retain the club’s captain since buying the club due to his leadership, on and off the pitch, pre and post-sanctions and takeover.
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Chelsea are still in the market for a defender or two, but their search for a wing-back could cool as a result of Azpilicueta staying at the club.
It was confirmed by the club on Thursday evening which saw Azpilicueta extend his stay, expressing his happiness: "I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home. It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club so I really feel the love and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hands.
"I would like to say thank you to Mr Todd and Mr Behdad for giving me the opportunity to keep my journey at this amazing club and I am really looking forward to continuing our adventure. I am a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together."
It's a decision that pleases both the manager and board. Chelsea and Azpilicueta finally have clarity, he’s here to stay in England, for now.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea, Barcelona, Thomas Tuchel, Todd Boehly, Transfers, Football
