Thomas Tuchel believes Cesar Azpilicueta has earned the right to decide whether he remains at Chelsea for another season or departs for a new challenge after ten years at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel said: “He deserves it. And I listen to my captain. He has been at this club for more than a decade, so he has this right. This is my opinion. He is everything Chelsea is about, and I am so, so happy he is the captain because he is humble, hard-working, a nice guy and a polite guy. I am happy that in football, it’s possible a guy like this can win all the trophies. That sets the example. It sets the tone. It sets the atmosphere at a very high level. This is absolutely clear, but there are more layers and levels we have to consider. It is also whether he can give all that, whether he is fully committed. If he cannot get rid of this feeling [about wanting a new challenge], we have to talk about it openly, seriously, and respectfully because he deserves it. We [need to] find out if he can give everything that makes him special. I think, with all the respect, he can only be special if he is committed 100% and does not have another little voice in his head, not one concern in his head, that he should have done something differently. He is only the guy he is when he is fully committed. That is his foundation. So this is what we have to find out. That does not mean we find it out tomorrow or today, we still have time because we are also in the privileged position where we have a contract. We have to see.”
Tuchel has stressed that no decision has been made by Azpilicueta or the club – and also revealed previous discussions have been held with the club captain over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel added: “We had a lot of these talks because, very genuinely, it felt like he won everything after the Club World Cup. So, given his personal situation, I can understand these thoughts that maybe a cycle is at its end. Then there’s a change of ownership, and he played only under this owner in this structure, so it may have increased his second thoughts about his situation. But then his extension kicked in, and at the same time, he loves the club, he loves the challenge, he loves to be here, and he is our captain. So we are still in dialogue, and at some point, we are also selfish. We are not responsible to solve any other club’s problems or to fulfil any other club’s wishes. Given the fact we lose already key defenders, it’s not the ideal scenario to think about losing Azpi, even if I can understand his personal point of view. If you are a legend, which he is, you deserve maybe also from me and the club a second look at it, is there may be an exception from the rule. We are still in this process.”
