Chelsea is in the FIFA Club World final, and it means a lot more for one team member in particular.
Cesar Azpilicueta has been here before but fell short with Chelsea's first Champions League-winning side.
This time will be different for Azpilicueta. This time he will be leading the Blues out with the captain's armband with fan favourite Thomas Tuchel as the mastermind behind him.
There's only one spot left in the Spaniard's trophy cabinet. It's warm and ready to welcome the World's most prestigious club prize. It's not just a personal mission for the Chelsea skipper. It could also be a parting gift for the fans.
Azpilicueta, captain, leader, legend. That title has only ever been reserved for former Chelsea captain John Terry. Azpilicueta is the closest we have come to his successor. He has won everything that English club football can offer.
The Blues captain is looking to complete a clean sweep of medals by winning the Club World Cup in addition to his two Premier League titles, Champions League, two Europa Leagues, European Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.
"I was part of the 2012 Club World Cup. It hurt a lot." the Chelsea Captain reminisces on his time.
"It was my first season, I wasn't coming from winning the Champions League, but we had a lot of competitions. It looked more normal than it was. You realise how difficult it is after ten years to be back here."
Barcelona is looking to snatch the Spaniard on a free at the end of the season. Whilst he remains silent on the potential transfer, the lack of coverage on his contract situation insinuates a clear answer to the rumours. As his last wish in a Chelsea shirt, I am sure he would want to lift the one prize he is missing from his collection and be the first Chelsea player to win the lot.
I don't think any Chelsea fan would be bothered by the potential exit in the summer. Not because they don't care, but because we'd love for him to be happy considering all of his accomplishments. Similar feeling to John Terry's departure from the club to Aston Villa.
It is incredible what he has achieved in ten years at the club. His time in west London may be coming to an end come this summer, but there are many memories that Chelsea fans can hold on to.
My fondest memory of him won't necessarily be a particular game. It's more about his persona — a very calm and collected soul who looks like a pleasure to be around. I mean, how can you find something negative to say about a man who still tucks in his football shirt into his shorts every single match day.
So far, Azpilicueta has made 458 appearances for Chelsea. I hope that his 459th will see him lift the one trophy that he is missing.
Make sure you have subscribed to CareFree Chelsea on YouTube! The Fan Brands team along with plenty of your football.london favourites will be producing daily Chelsea content for you to enjoy including match reactions, podcasts, football fun and interviews. You can follow Anita Abayomi from the CareFreeChelsea team to keep up to date with her work. If you enjoyed reading this then give her other articles a read below.
