Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta became the club's sixth highest appearance maker in the 0-0 draw at Liverpool on Saturday. The 33-year-old came on in the 81st minute to replace Trevoh Chalobah at Anfield to help Graham Potter's side secure successive clean sheets for the first time since October.
Azpilicueta's inclusion on Merseyside means he becomes the sixth player in Chelsea history to reach 500 appearances and only nine behind John Hollins. Should the Spanish defender overcome Hollins' record, he will join John Terry (715), Frank Lampard (648), Ron Harris (609) and Peter Bonetti (539) in the top five.
Since joining in 2012 from Marseille, Azpilicueta has been a mainstay in the Blues defence under various managers. Azpilicueta has won all the major competitions during his time in west London, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup.
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A favourite amongst the Stamford Bridge spectators, Azpilicueta has sent a heart-warming message thanking the Chelsea supporters since arriving for only £6.5million more than a decade ago. Posting the message on Twitter, he said: "I am really proud, honoured and humbled to have reached 500 games as a Blues. I have never paid attention to individual achievements, as the group is and will always be the force that drives me forward.
"However, it is a privilege to be part of a select group of legends and join them in this milestone. Their impact on this club, as well as their legacy, will be eternal. It wouldn't have been possible for me to reach it without the trust and confidence of the club, managers, staff and teammates who work hard every day with the ambition to make Chelsea one of the most successful football clubs in the world.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for all the support you have shown me since I arrived at this club, and for loving it as much as I do. At every time, good or bad, we have always stuck together, and I am eternally grateful for it, and forever proud of being a Blue. Love, Dave."
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