Azpilicueta feeling very much at home in Chelsea back three

Five years on from making his Chelsea debut, defender Cesar Azpilicueta insists he is still relishing the chance to improve his game in south-west London.

The 27-year-old initially joined as a right-back from Marseille, but found Branislav Ivanovic an immovable object on that flank and made his home on the left-hand side of the back four under Roberto di Matteo, Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, and Guus Hiddink.

This term however his flexibility has been showcased once again as part of Antonio Conte’s back three, lining up on the right-hand side of David Luiz and Gary Cahill.

And despite finding his attacking opportunities more limited in this system, Azpilicueta – who notched up his 224th Chelsea appearance on Monday against Middlesbrough – is adamant he is enjoying the switch

“Throughout my career, I’ve always been able to adapt to new positions and I think that made me better as a player,” said the Spain international, who has played every minute of every Premier League game for the Blues this term.

“It’s crazy how football changes. I made my debut more than ten years ago as a right winger for Osasuna and to now be playing as a right centre-back shows you how much can change.

“I’ve taken on every challenge in order to improve myself. Whenever a manager has asked me to change, I’ve always tried to adapt quickly, to learn, and then to become a better footballer.

“When the manager signed here I knew he liked to play with three at the back and I thought I could play in the back three.

“I was sure I could make it work, he gave me confidence, we trained hard to learn all the right movements and obviously it was a big change for me.

“I was more central and you maybe play more with the ball because we build from the back. I’m in possession more and there are no overlaps and not a lot of crosses from the wing but it’s a role I’m enjoying.”