Frank Leboeuf believes club captain Cesar Azpilicueta was the only Chelsea player who “showed courage” in yesterday’s defeat at Manchester United.
Chelsea’s final away day of the Premier League season ended in a 4-1 loss at Old Trafford. Next, they wrap up the campaign at home to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Blues were toothless in front of goal last night when carving out several chances to score. It was even worse for the Chelsea defence, who could do very little to prevent a United attack that ripped through them at times.
Blues fans may only find comfort in the fact that the 2022/23 season is finally nearly over.
ESPN pundit Leboeuf did find one small positive in Chelsea’s 16th league defeat of the season.
Cesar Azpilicueta, who was the oldest Blues player in a very young line-up against United, put in a valiant effort at right-back this week.
We feel like the 33-year-old defender’s time at the top level is now numbered, but he rolled back the years last night during a really difficult game for the team.
“Azpilicueta is getting old, but today he was maybe the only one who showed courage, who didn’t give up, and who worked hard. I don’t think they can count on him, but they will need leaders,” Leboeuf told ESPN.
Azpilicueta, who earns £150,000-a-week, is still under contract at Stamford Bridge until the end of next season.
Despite a battling and spirited display against United, we would still put him into the large category of players that need to leave this summer.
Journalist Simon Phillips claimed on his Substack last month that Azpilicueta is attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid ahead of the summer.
The Spanish full-back popped up with some superb individual moments in defence last night, but there’s still major question marks against him when it comes to pace.