Unsung hero for Chelsea: Cesar Azpilicueta
Roberto Di Matteo’s short-lived spell as Chelsea manager will always be remembered for that famous night in Munich when they defied the odds to win the Champions League.
Chelsea beat Jupp Heynckes’s much fancied Bayern in their own Allianz Arena on penalties to lift the European Cup for the first time.
But maybe Di Matteo’s Stamford Bridge legacy should be remembered for some astute business in the transfer market with the signing of a man known simply as ‘Dave’.
Cesar Azpilicueta arrived at Stamford Bridge £6.5million from Marseille in the same transfer window as Eden Hazard and Oscar and was signed as right-back cover for Branislav Ivanovic.
Chances were hard to come by at the start for Azpilicueta – given the simple nickname ‘Dave’ by the fans due to his tricky surname – but a year later he found himself displacing Ashley Cole as Jose Mourinho opted to switch him to left back.
And such was Mourinho’s admiration for Azpilicueta, he said that he wished he had 10 more and he would then win the Champions League.
Picture: Getty Images
Fast forward to the arrival of Antonio Conte and Azpilicueta was again on the move – back to the right-hand side of the back three.
Conte may have uncovered the fact that Azpilicueta’s best position is as a mobile centre-back but he has also used him as a wing-back and the Spaniard’s forward runs have seen him end up in the goals more than in the past.
Conte has managed the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, he had some very high praise for Azpilicueta.
Speaking in February, Conte said: “He’s incredible in his new role. One of the best in the world in this role.”
Yet when the end of season gongs were handed out it was N’Golo Kante sweeping the board at the PFA and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year awards with Eden Hazard running him close. The versatile Azpilicueta’s name was nowhere to be seen.
But Azpilicueta’s contribution to Chelsea’s title winning side should not be underestimated and just as Mourinho had done three years earlier, Conte praised him by saying he would play in goal if he was asked.
Unsung? Yes. Under appreciated? Not by anyone he plays for or with.
