Cesar Azpilicueta has explained why he changed his mind about staying at Chelsea despite his six-month chase from Barcelona.
The captain was due to return to his native Spain but after discussions with head coach Thomas Tuchel and the new owners, decided to extend his contract by one year until 2024.
"Yes, there are talks [with Barcelona] all over the club," Azpilicueta said after helping Chelsea beat Everton 1-0 on Saturday.
"After the Club World Cup, where I was the only player to win all the trophies, it [felt] time to go back to Spain. But then everything happened with this club. I wanted to stay engaged. I never did anything to the club. I. We had a private conversation where I told him everything.
"I haven't been in a transfer market situation in 10 years. That's different. The last time was Marseille and this time it was different because of the contract situation because I had that clause [to extend my contract] after a few games.
"I was a free agent for a while and who knows what might happen then? I decided to stay calm because there was enough noise around me. I didn't want to make it worse because I wanted to focus on my game."
Azpilicueta discussed the importance of winning the Club World Cup in February.
"It was a turning point," said the 32-year-old. "I tried really hard to win this trophy. At that time I felt different. At that moment it was like, 'Wow, I won everything for this club', so maybe a new chapter will come. It's true that at the last break my performance was not as good as before.
"I paid a lot to play from December to February. I think I played most of the minutes as a winger. I'm certainly not getting any younger and it's a position that requires a lot of energy every three days.
"I think all the emotions and feelings and fatigue made me feel like this. In the last two months [of the season] I wasn't as good as before physically."
Azpilicueta's new deal offers a modest raise and the challenge of linking projects under new owners.
"I am very happy, otherwise I would not have signed," he said. “The owners want me to stay here to lead the team on and off the pitch. Thanks a lot to them for that. They were very honest and transparent from day one. I feel compelled to stay here in my home.
"We have a new project with new players and players. I feel ready to move forward."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0