Cesar Azpilicueta discusses his Chelsea future & Saul Niguez debut
Cesar Azpilicueta has insisted he has no concerns over his Chelsea future, even though his contract is currently set to expire in the summer.
Azpilicueta enjoyed a terrific campaign last time out, captaining the Blues to Champions League glory. He has continued his fine form into this season too, impressing as part of Thomas Tuchel's back three.
Azpilicueta is one of four Chelsea defenders whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, with Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen in the same boat.
Despite this, the Spaniard revealed that he is not sweating over his Stamford Bridge future.
“I don’t have any concerns,” Azpilicueta told the press before his side's Champions League opener against Zenit on Tuesday night. “I feel fully trusted by the club since I arrived.
“Yeah, it’s true that my contract ends in June but I’m just focused on what is next, which is to train, to play the best I can, and everything will take care of itself.
“I don’t need to say anything more. I just feel that I have to keep doing the things that I’m doing and everything will come by itself. Of course, I love to be here, I’ve feel loved since I arrived and, of course, my aim is to be here for as long as I can.”
Azpilicueta also discussed the club's newest arrival Saul Niguez, who enjoyed a difficult start to life in the capital during Chelsea's 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. He struggled with the pace of the game and was substituted at half time, however his international teammate has backed him to bounce back.
“Saul is a great player. I’ve known him since his days in the national team,” Azpilicueta said.
“He has a great experience at the highest level with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and, when he signed for Chelsea, he had a bit of stressful last hours of the transfer window. He arrived in a new country, just field training sessions, his first game was against good opposition and they were very aggressive, so it’s normal.
“Sometimes you need a bit more time to adapt. His response has been absolutely spot on. He’s decided to improve, he’s asking questions, he wants to adapt as quick as possible. Some players need more time than others. That’s completely natural. He asked for our full support.
“He’s a great addition. I’m very happy to have him in our team and I’m sure that he will keep growing and helping the team because we need that from everybody. I’m sure that he will be an important player in the season.”