Cesar Azpilicueta is out of contract this summer. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta has responded with a message to the talks about his future amidst interest from Barcelona for a summer transfer. There has been uncertainty surrounding his long-term prospects at Stamford Bridge, prompting the reporters to ask about the subject.
Azpilicueta is in line to become a free agent in the summer. That has cast doubts over his future with the Blues, with Barca being interested in his services. Supposedly, there were claims that the captain has agreed to move to Camp Nou as the Spanish side is legally able to reach a pre-contract agreement right now.
Speaking in the press conference while on international duty (h/t The Sun), the Spaniard has conveyed that he has not decided on his future just yet as it is not the right time to do so. That means he has neither accepted nor denied those rumours about an agreement with Xavi Hernandez’s side.
“My future? It’s not the place or time to discuss it. What I have learned from the pandemic is to live day-to-day and the moment. I now enjoy concentrating [on the present].”
It would have been understandable if the West London side decided to part ways with the 32-year-old after this season before the current ownership uncertainty. After all, the club could have then looked to replace him with quality additions who could provide long-term security.
Circumstances have changed since the UK Government imposed restrictions on the club due to the sanctions on Roman Abramovich. Our finances have been severely affected as a result, which means that we cannot afford to spend lavishly in the immediate future unless there is a telling change in ownership.
As such, it would be wise on our part to tie down the Premier League defender on a new deal. That should be done, especially when one considers how Thomas Tuchel is keen to keep hold of the veteran. After all, losing the captain would mean that we would leave a void in the centre-back as well as the right-wingback department for the next term.
We have no real backup options to Reece James in the squad, and Azpilicueta is the only suitable choice to deputise in that role. Not to mention, we also must consider how Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are in the final year of their respective contracts as well.
Losing all three of them for free could be detrimental to our future success looking at how crucial they have been for us under Tuchel. As such, we should look to renew Azpilicueta’s contract at the earliest to protect our interests as we near the summer transfer window.
For that to happen, though, we need to convince the Government to lift the limitations which prevent us from engaging in contract talks. We remain hopeful that the club officials can find a solution as soon as possible to take care of the business with the centre-back trio.
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