Just 12 months ago Chelsea entered a new Premier League season with four central defenders having less than a year to run on their contracts. Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen saw conversations about the future dominate press conferences and ultimately left, Thiago Silva committed to another year at Stamford Bridge at the start of 2022, when some expected him to return to Brazil and for a moment in time it seemed that Cesar Azpilicueta had reached the natural end of his Blues' career.
As the months counted down, the Chelsea captain was available but saw his contract extended by a further year having met a clause for the number of games played. With the club up for sale, the prospect of new owners and under sanction, it was a rare opportunity of security for the Blues. Amidst uncertainty, Azpilicueta's professionalism would never be in doubt.
He said: "I've never been in the transfer market in 10 years, it was difficult. This time the contract was a bit different because I had the clause of games, for a period I was a free agent, who knew what could happen. I decided to stay silent to not speak in the media because there was already enough noise around and I didn't want to make it worse because I tried to stay focused.
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"It was true that it was a very rare situation. I was out of contract until March when I played the games. The club was under sanctions so it was very difficult. Everybody can talk for you and in your name but the actions are spoke by yourself. I stay committed to the club, I played the games even though we never knew what was going to happen. New ownership arrived, we had our conversation, very honest and I decide I will try to stay on."
Even with Azpilicueta's future extended until the end of the 2022/23 season, many expected that the 31-year-old would return to Spain, with Barcelona touted to be his destination. The prospect of a future away from Chelsea was possible to comprehend, with nothing new to achieve with the Blues after securing the Club World Cup trophy in February, in addition to his two Premier League trophies, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a Champions League title, two Europa League wins and a UEFA Super Cup victory. Even with the clause activated, the end of last season was a difficult period for the Spaniard.
"Of course, I think it's a turning point with the Club World Cup," Azpilicueta said. "I worked so hard to win this trophy, my last trophy remaining. The only player who has won every trophy for the club. At the moment I feel differently. That moment, was like 'wow, I have won everything for this club, maybe a new chapter arrives'.
"It is true that after the international break, my performances were not as good as before, I think I pay a big price for playing from December to February, I think I played the most minutes playing wing-back which of course, I'm not getting younger. It's a position that demands a lot of energy, every three days, playing the Club World Cup. I think all these emotions, and feelings and tiredness, that's how I felt. That last two months, physically. I was not as good as before."
Even with the clause activated in March, it was no sure-thing that the Chelsea veteran would remain at Stamford Bridge for the new season. Barcelona's name were never far away from being mentioned in the same breath as the defender and Azpilicueta was not as present among club media as onlookers may have come to expect over the course of the US tour.
Last week, the former Marseille ace, agreed a new deal that sees his future remain in west London until 2024. The Blues have entered a new era of ownership led by Todd Boehly and have already seen the squad composition begin to change. Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka have been added to the ranks, with more arrivals expected.
Azpilicueta has been a pillar of consistency for the Blues both in his presence and performances since joining the club in in 2012. As captain it now seems he feels responsible in helping to usher the new era in at Stamford Bridge, with some excitement at what the new project can achieve.
The Spanish international has appreciated his discussions with the new ownership group and has been impressed by their honesty. Boehly and co made no bones about how much they valued the player's leadership, something he displayed against Everton at the weekend.
Azpilicueta said: "Of course, the conversations they were there, before and after the Club World Cup, winning every trophy for the club - the only player - I thought maybe it was the time to go back then everything happened. I am the captain of this club, I want to stay committed to the club. I never did anything against my club. Conversations were private. We spoke to each other, we said what we thought. We had players leaving. All around that was like this.
"I'm really excited. I had very honest, a lot conversations. We spoke to each other, we expressed our opinions. I had a meeting with the owners, they wanted me to stay here to lead the team on and off the pitch. I have to say a big thank you to them because they were very honest and transparent from the first day. Then I felt the responsibility to stay here in my home. My family are happy here, we have new players coming in, youngsters coming in, so I feel ready to move forward.
"I'm really happy, it has been a crazy last few months and it felt right to keep my journey here. A new project and I'm really looking forward to the new season."
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