Atletico Madrid is reportedly on the verge of completing the transfer of Chelsea’s seasoned defender, Cesar Azpilicueta, before the week comes to a close.
Last summer, shortly after Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital arrived, Azpilicueta was persuaded to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge for an eleventh season. Despite interest from Barcelona, which was unable to seal a deal at the time, the Spanish international chose to commit to the Blues.
However, despite Azpilicueta’s esteemed leadership qualities, he found himself limited to only 16 starts and nine appearances as a substitute in the Premier League. Surprisingly, Reece James‘ absence due to injury during a significant portion of the season did not translate into increased playing time for Azpilicueta, as the various head coaches often preferred alternative options on the right-hand side of defense.
Given the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea’s new manager, there was a possibility that the Argentine would insist on keeping the 33-year-old defender in West London. Nevertheless, both Pochettino and the club’s management have shown utmost respect for Azpilicueta’s legendary status at the club, having made an impressive 508 appearances in all competitions. Consequently, they have allowed him to embark on a new challenge elsewhere.
According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Azpilicueta has reached an agreement on personal terms with Atletico and will finalize the transfer in the coming days. The deal will span over two years, as opposed to the usual one-year contracts with an option for extension, offering Azpilicueta an opportunity to return to his homeland.
Since departing from Osasuna in 2010, Azpilicueta has not competed in the Spanish top flight, amassing a total of 576 club appearances since joining Marseille. The desire to reunite with his family in Spain played a significant role in his decision to reject Inter Milan, who believed they were in prime position to secure his signature.
From Atletico’s perspective, the signing of Azpilicueta effectively fills the void left by Matt Doherty, who failed to make a significant impact while serving as Nahuel Molina’s understudy during the latter half of the previous season.
Once the transfer is officially concluded, it will follow Atletico’s acquisition of Leicester City center-back Caglar Soyuncu, who joined the Wanda Metropolitano as a free agent.