Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has revealed that he wants to set a good example for youngsters from within the club to follow next season. The Spaniard is expected to captain the side in most games next season and succeed Gary Cahill as leader of the Stamford Bridge side.
“We have a lot of good youngsters here at Chelsea, many of them have come away with us on this trip and it’s a good chance for them to come in and impress,” he told the club’s website.
“I’m a senior member of the team and it’s down to people like myself to lead by example, to set the standards for the young players to follow and you have to show this on the pitch with the way you play, but also with how you conduct yourself off it too.”
There is no better person for the captaincy than Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta is now the most experienced member of the Chelsea side having joined in 2012. He captained the side in most games last season as Cahill was phased out of the club’s vision and only used sparingly. While Azpilicueta may not be the most world-class player around, he has been dedicated to the Chelsea cause since his arrival at the club and is a club legend in the making.
Azpilicueta has gone on to make 235 Premier League appearances for Chelsea and has helped the team to win two Premier League titles as well as two Europa Leagues. At just 29-years-old, he could still have another 3-5 years of good football left in him.
Azpilicueta will play a key role for Chelsea next season
He will play a key role for the club next season both on and off the field. New Blues manager Frank Lampard will be forced to work with young talent next season in lieu of the West London club’s two-window transfer ban. Players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Andreas Christensen could be set to all feature regularly for the club next season. While those players have shown plenty of class, they are still very young and it can be argued that the lack the experience which is necessary to deliver for a club on a regular basis that has League title aspirations.
Azpilicueta will have to play a role in mentoring these players, ensuring that they are happy and can cope with the demands of top-flight football.
