Thiago Silva has hailed Chelsea teammate Cesar Azpilicueta, who could be on his way to Barcelona at the end of the season.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo (h/t football.london), Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has paid tribute to his teammate and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta amid speculations linking him with a move to Barcelona.
Azpilicueta has been with Chelsea for almost ten years now but could be set to depart Stamford Bridge at the end of the season as his contract is set to expire. Barcelona have emerged as the favourites to land the veteran Spanish international, who has won every trophy he has contested for with the Blues so far in his career.
Amidst the uncertainties surrounding his future at the club, Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has hailed Azpilicueta, highlighting the importance of the versatile defender for the Blues.
“Cesar Azpilicueta, since I arrived, was one of my main sources of support. There are players who have what it takes to be captain and he is one of them. He is a player who seeks union, who tries to help others. He is a spectacular footballer and a super-professional who, with certainty, deserves to be where is. Azpilicueta has beastly conditions,” Silva said, speaking of his defensive partner.
Even though Chelsea intend to keep hold of Azpilicueta beyond the ongoing campaign, their task has been made difficult by the UK Government’s sanctions which prohibits them from signing any players or negotiating new contracts with the current members of the roster.
However, there have been claims that Azpilicueta has a one-year extension option embedded in his contract, which will be triggered based on certain conditions. It could provide Chelsea with some hopes of holding on to their captain amidst the strong interest from Barcelona.
Azpilicueta has refused to get drawn into the speculations surrounding his future and has insisted that he remains completely focused on seeing the season through with Chelsea, especially with the club going through difficult times off the pitch due to the sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich.
Also Read: Chelsea and Abramovich in limbo: What do the UK government sanctions mean for the club?
As Silva iterated, Azpilicueta is a player of immense value and importance to this Chelsea side. And, it remains to be seen if he remains a Blue beyond the current campaign or ends up signing for Barcelona.