Does Chelsea Captain Azpillicueta Regret Not Making Barcelona Move?

Chelsea Captain, Cesar Azpilicueta has stated that he doesn’t regret not signing with Barcelona.

The seasoned Spanish defender found himself approaching free agency in the spring of 2022, generating interest from Camp Nou.

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However, when he played at least 45 minutes in each of Chelsea’s 30 games that season, an extension clause in his contract was ultimately triggered, and rumors of a transfer to Camp Nou started to dissipate.

The Athletic questioned Azpilicueta about if he now regrets not advocating for a move back to his own country: Azpilicueta said: I had won all the trophies with them [Chelsea]. We had been crowned the best club in the world. I was also made captain. I will not hide or be in a position where I only look after myself. By doing that I would let my team-mates, the manager, the club and the fans down.

“I know there was a big noise because we had other team-mates in a position where they were free agents. My name was there as well. But I spoke clearly with my actions. They are more important than talking and then doing your own stuff to protect yourself.

“I ended up signing another contract, with the confidence from the new ownership and in the new era. I have no regrets.”

Referring to fellow defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who eventually departed west London as free agents to join Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, Azpilicueta continued: “My situation was unique. I didn’t get to the 30 total until March and, by then, we were already operating under sanctions.

“I could have signed an agreement in January to join a team abroad as a free agent in the summer, but I never had it in my mind. I wanted to be with the club during a difficult situation. I had better options in terms of contract years and salary elsewhere, but that’s not what I wanted to do. I’ve been here for over 10 years.

“I’ve had a chance to create an amazing relationship with the fans, the club, employees. I could not leave. Even though I knew what triggering the clause would mean, my heart, my head didn’t allow me to do anything other than keep being ready for every match and playing 30 games.

“I did not know who the owner was going to be or what situation we were going to end up in, but that is how I felt.”

IN THREE PICTURES:

Chelsea began a new era in the summer of 2022 with the departure of Roman Abramovich and the completion of a Todd Boehly-led consortium’s takeover of the club. This season, Azpilicueta has played a significant role as he brings crucial experience to a significantly altered squad that has spent heavily but underperformed badly.