Thomas Tuchel with Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Thiago Silva is full of praises for Cesar Azpilicueta and has lauded the skipper as the perfect captain for Chelsea. The latter has been a long-standing presence at the back for us and has gained the necessary qualities required to be a leader during that period.
Azpilicueta became the Blues’ captain at the start of the 2019-20 season after taking over the armband from Gary Cahill. He has led us to glory several times since then, especially after Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the manager. Now, Silva has chipped in with his thoughts about why he believes our skipper is the best example of a proper leader.
Speaking in an interview with the club’s media (h/t Chelsea official website), Silva has explained the reasons why he believes Azpilicueta is the perfect example of a modern leader. He added that the Blues skipper has both the qualities of an expressive as well as a composed captain, making him suitable for all kinds of scenarios.
“There are different types of captains: there are those who talk more, and others who are quieter but mean a lot to the team. Azpilicueta has both aspects: he is very important on the field, and outside he brings the team together when necessary to talk about what is necessary and to make things clear so they don’t go wrong.”
Azpilicueta is nearing the end of his current contract and will become a free agent after this term. As such, we are at risk of losing our skipper, especially when we would be desperate for his services at this moment. The club is going through a bit of a rough phase due to the ownership uncertainty.
We need someone like the Spaniard who can hold the team together in times like the current one. And Silva, who has captained Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil, would know what it takes for someone to become a perfect leader. Perhaps, his words could be interpreted as a message to the club from his side on why they need to keep the ex-Marseille defender beyond this summer.
We do not tend to offer long contracts to players who are in the twilight of their playing careers. However, the club may need to change their stance and make a special case for Azpilicueta, who still plays a key role for us. Not to mention, he is also an option in the centre-back and right-wingback positions, so losing him at this point may not be in our best interests.
Silva himself is nearing the end of his playing career, and he would need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Losing two of our leaders in quick succession would not be in our best interests, so the club should try to negate that by keeping one among the defensive duo for longer. Azpiliceuta would be an ideal choice in that regard, considering how he is much younger compared to the former PSG man.
But as of now, we cannot engage in contract renewal talks with any of our players due to the sanctions imposed on the club. Hopefully, the transition is completed soon and the club’s day-to-day functioning can return to normalcy.
Either way, Azpi, when he leaves this club, would leave as a club legend in every sense of those words. A loyal servant to Chelsea Football Club, he has been one of the most dependable, consistent, and unproblematic members of the squad since he arrived here.
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