Barcelona are close to signing Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking on TalkSPORT (h/t Daily Mail), former Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock suggested that Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta was ‘lucky’ to have made a successful career in football and that his defensive ability was weak in comparison to other players.
This comes after Azpilicueta became the first Chelsea player in history to win all the trophies available to him in club football with the Blues, and firmly established himself as a club legend. The Spaniard was a relative unknown when Chelsea signed him from Marseille in 2012, but has undergone a massive transformation since his debut.
Warnock, who managed Cardiff City in the Premier League, said that Azpilicueta was lucky to be at a club like Chelsea and that he was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, which is the reason for all his achievements at Stamford Bridge.
“Sometimes in football you need a bit of luck and I think he’s had a bit of luck at the right time and in the right place. That’s what you need in football, you need a bit of luck to be successful.”
It seems like harsh criticism for a player who is a two-time Premier League winner with Chelsea. Further, the Blues skipper also led the team out in the final of the Champions League last year, and is currently captain of the defending European champions.
The Spaniard took over the role as club captain from Gary Cahill in 2019, and has firmly established himself as one of the club’s most successful captains in recent years. Given that he was following in the footsteps of some fine leaders like John Terry and Dennis Wise, Azpilicueta has added his name to a list of illustrious players to have led the club.
Warnock however, slated the Spain international for his defensive capabilities and attributed luck to Azpilicueta’s trophy-laden career with Chelsea. He only recently won the FIFA Club World Cup for the club, helping the side get their hands on a trophy they had never won before.
“I think it goes two ways to be honest. I think Azpilicueta has been a very fortunate lad to be a at a club like Chelsea. I don’t think he is a great defender.”
Chelsea fans will scoff at Warnock’s recent comments, playing down his views on one of their greatest captains to have played for us. Azpilicueta rose from an unknown name to one of the Blues’ most successful players, having won all major trophies for Chelsea during his almost decade-long stay at Stamford Bridge.
With the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League still yet to be won this season, the Blues skipper will be aiming for more titles to add to his trophy cabinet. Last year already saw him conquer Europe with the Champions League and Super Cup wins.
Blues fans will also be anxious about their captain’s future at Chelsea, with Azpilicueta running down the last few months of his current contract with the club. As things stand, he is a free agent in the summer and can talk to foreign clubs to enter into a pre-contract agreement to join them ahead of next season.
If this is indeed his swansong season at the club, both Azpilicueta and the fans will want him to leave us on a high, and ensure more trophies make their way to Stamford Bridge at the end of the current campaign.
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