Veteran Chelsea star targeted by La Liga giants as uncertainty grows

Chelsea Transfer News: Cesar Azpilicueta wanted by Atletico Madrid

According to transfer news from The Sun, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is wanted by Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone wants to take advantage of Chelsea’s interest in Niklas Sule, which has put Azpilicueta’s future in doubt. The Spanish side also view him as a replacement for Jose Maria Gimenez.

Azpilicueta has been with Chelsea since 2012, having arrived from French club Marseille. A utility player in his early days at the club, the Spaniard gradually grew into one of the most important players and a leader on the pitch. So it didn’t come as a surprise when he was named as the club captain following the exit of Gary Cahill.

To date, Azpilicueta has racked up a total of 421 appearances for Chelsea, chipping in with 14 goals and 52 assists, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup and two UEFA Europa League trophies in the process.

The 31-year-old did seem to have fallen down the pecking order in the first half of the ongoing season under Frank Lampard, who preferred Reece James at right-back. However, the arrival of Thomas Tuchel has sparked a turnaround for Dave (as Chelsea fans affectionately call him), who is now a permanent fixture in the side, slotting in as the right-sided centre-back.

It has been reported that Thomas Tuchel wants to add another centre-back to the side and has zeroed in on Niklas Sule of Bayern Munich. With Azpilicueta’s contract nearing its end in a year, the defender is having doubts about extending his stay due to the possible arrival of a new centre-back. With so many defenders already at the club, someone needs to be sacrificed to make way for the possible arrival of Sule.

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That man could be Azpilicueta. While it may hit the sentiments, if we were to view it logically, the move makes sense as Sule is much younger and has the potential to grow. There is no doubt the Spaniard has served the club well but Chelsea could just let him go, with Atletico’s reported interest due to the possible departure of Gimenez.