The Bet365 Stadium has proved a difficult environment for the Premier League’s top clubs this season, Stoke already earning a home win over Arsenal and a bitter-fought point against Manchester United, but it wasn’t a hurdle in Chelsea’s title defence on Saturday as the Blues bagged an incredibly convincing 4-0 victory.
Summer signing Alvaro Morata inevitably stole the headlines, producing a hat-trick the game after Chelsea confirmed the departure of his centre-forward predecessor, Diego Costa, to former club Atletico Madrid.
But scratch a little deeper and the Spain international’s compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta was the real star of the show, not only playing a pivotal role in a clean sheet away from home as the most experienced member of a relatively unfamiliar Chelsea back three, but also making huge contributions at the other end with four chances created – two of which Morata converted.
Also weighing in with the third-most touches of the ball of any Chelsea player, it was a performance that highlighted how underrated the 28-year-old, who wore the captain’s armband on Saturday, is in the grand scheme of European football.
Capable of playing any role in a back three (including the wing-back slots) and a back four, impeccable defensively yet also comfortable and sometimes even creative on the ball, is there a team in the world that couldn’t find room for Azpilicueta in their defence?
FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.