Blues legend Petr Cech has explained why Cesar Azpilicueta is still the ideal captain for Chelsea despite occasional defensive mistakes.
Dominic Calvert Lewin pounced on Azpilicueta’s loose touch and eventually secured a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
Obviously, as a skipper, Azpilicueta should have been the last player on the team to make this type of error.
Cech has jumped to the Spain international’s defence and highlighted what makes the defender a good leader.
“When it comes to captain material, there is something in the player, and with experience, it comes out,” the former Blues goalkeeper told the club’s official website.
“One thing that has always struck me about Azpi is that he is an honest player, he goes on the pitch and does his best, no matter what.”
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“He plays with the right commitment, with the right attitude, with his full heart. This is what makes him consistent.”
“He is a very good trainer. He prepares the same way as he plays, and that’s the key to his level of performance. You know what you get.”
Cech, who currently works as the technical and performance advisor for the club, also compared Azpilicueta to fellow Chelsea icon Paulo Ferreira.
“That shows the other players how it’s done.”
Azpilicueta is expected to continue wearing the armband for Chelsea next season after reportedly triggering an automatic one-year extension clause in his contract this season.
He may also decide to leave this summer, with Barcelona reportedly interested, but it would make more sense for Chelsea to keep such an experienced defender ahead of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s likely exits.
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