Martin Keown has suggested that Cesar Azpilicueta should stay at Stamford Bridge and finish his career with Chelsea.
Azpilicueta, 32, is the Blues club captain that’s won the lot since he joined the club back in 2012, which included lifting the Champions League trophy last season.
The versatile defender’s future in west London has looked in a precarious position in recent months, with his contract due to expire this summer.
However, the Spaniard’s now made enough appearances to activate a clause that extends his deal at the Bridge until 2023. Chelsea’s manager Thomas Tuchel shared his joy with the news in today’s press conference, adding it means there is a “very high possibility” the player stays with the squad for another season.
Barcelona are strongly linked with trying to sign Azpilicueta, but he doesn’t want to leave his current club on bad terms.
As it stands, Chelsea risk losing senior defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at the end of the season because current government sanctions restrict the club from sorting fresh contracts.
Pundit Keown believes that Azpilicueta should end up finishing his career with the Blues.
“Why does Azpilicueta really want to go anywhere else? Maybe he should just see out his career there. He has been magnificent for Chelsea. Can he not just be a player that everyone has in the dressing room that others learn from?” Keown told talkSPORT.
Perfect Colwill mentor
Hopefully, Levi Colwill is the latest talent from the academy to break into Chelsea’s first-team squad next season.
The 19-year-old centre-back’s enjoying a superb season-long loan with Huddersfield Town, so many predict he’ll be ready to break into Tuchel’s group in a few months time.
If that happens, club skipper Azpilicueta, along with Thiago Silva, are ideal mentors for youngsters.
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