During his ten years at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta has amassed every significant award available.
Despite his significance at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta came very close to leaving Chelsea in the summer and signing with Barcelona.
Azpilicueta’s continued affiliation with the team makes Willian happy, and the Spaniard can be crucial when Chelsea changes ownership and managerial structures.
Early in the year, a Boehly-Clearlake partnership acquired Chelsea from its longtime owner Roman Abramovich. Thomas Tuchel has been replaced as manager by Graham Potter, a former Brighton manager.
Willian responded to The Athletic’s inquiry regarding the extensive changes at Chelsea by saying, “I couldn’t believe it when this situation transpired.
“To me, Roman and Marina [Granovskaia] are the only names that come to mind when discussing Chelsea. It has been challenging for everyone in the club.
But Cesar Azpilicueta can help here, I’m sure. He is a very valuable player for the team and a very good one. For ten years, he has been there. He can assist the current young players there with his experience.
“He is aware of what to do in this circumstance. One of the biggest and best clubs in the world is Chelsea. Every year, Chelsea are fighting for something, even if they change a manager.
They are constantly present. I had Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, and Frank Lampard during my seven years there. It has almost become the norm. But it didn’t deter us; we never stopped fighting for something.