'He Has The Right To Choose': Tuchel Speaks On Azpilicueta's Future

Cesar Azpilcueta's contract was extended one year by Chelsea and his current deal now expires in 2023. However, there are strong reports that the defender wants to leave the Blues this summer.

Asked to comment on the future of his captain, Thomas Tuchel said (via Chelseafc.com): "He deserves it [the chance to leave on his own terms].

"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.

"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."

Reportedly, Barcelona have offered Azpilcueta a two-year deal. The defender has been here for a decade and it remains to be seen if he will say goodbye this summer.

Source:  Tribalfootball