César Azpilicueta

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Azpilicueta and the second or maternal family name is Tanco.
César Azpilicueta

Azpilicueta playing for Chelsea in 2015
Personal information
Full name César Azpilicueta Tanco[1]
Date of birth (1989-08-28) 28 August 1989[2]
Place of birth Pamplona, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Playing position Full-back
Club information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 28
Youth career
2001–2006 Osasuna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Osasuna B 27 (1)
2007–2010 Osasuna 99 (0)
2010–2012 Marseille 47 (1)
2012– Chelsea 134 (2)
National team‡
2005 Spain U16 3 (0)
2006 Spain U17 14 (0)
2007–2008 Spain U19 18 (2)
2009 Spain U20 5 (0)
2008–2011 Spain U21 19 (1)
2012 Spain U23 5 (0)
2013– Spain 18 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:27, 20 November 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:43, 15 November 2016 (UTC)

César Azpilicueta Tanco (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈθesaɾ aθpiliˈkweta ˈtaŋko]; born 28 August 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a full-back for English club Chelsea and the Spain national team.

A youth product of Osasuna, he spent three seasons in La Liga before switching to Marseille, winning four major honours with the French club. In the summer of 2012 he moved to Chelsea, winning the Europa League in his first season and a domestic double two years later.

Azpilicueta gained 55 caps for Spain at youth level in all age groups, and represented the under-21s in two European Championships, winning the 2011 edition. He made his first appearance with the full side in 2013, and was selected for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

Club career

Osasuna

Azpilicueta was born in Pamplona, Navarre. A product of hometown club CA Osasuna's youth system, he made his La Liga debut on 8 April 2007 in a 0–2 away loss against Real Madrid, while still registered with the reserve team;[3] he started his career as a forward then switched to midfielder[4] and, throughout both his club and international career (senior and youth), appeared in several positions including central defender and central midfielder.[5]

In 2007–08, due to injuries in the main squad, Azpilicueta established himself as a first-team regular at the age of just 18, albeit as a right-back. He went on to retain this position for the following season, appearing in all but two league games.

Marseille

Azpilicueta playing with Marseille in the 2010–11 season.

On 21 June 2010, French club Olympique de Marseille confirmed an agreement had been reached with Osasuna for the transfer of Azpilicueta, in a four-year contract for €7 million.[6][7] A week later, the Navarrese confirmed the agreement, with the transfer fee possibly rising to as much as €9.5 million depending on appearances.[8] In his UEFA Champions League debut he scored the match's only goal in a group stage home match against FC Spartak Moscow, albeit in his own net.[9]

On 27 November 2010, in the early minutes of a 4–0 home win against Montpellier HSC — which meant Marseille climbed to the top of the league — Azpilicueta ruptured the anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee.[10] He was sidelined for six months.

In August 2012, amid speculation of clubs showing interest in Azpilicueta, including Premier League club Chelsea, Marseille confirmed that he could leave, saying, "If Chelsea makes a fair offer for Aspi [Azpilicueta], we will let him leave."[11] Despite his loyalty to Marseille, the player said he was willing to leave if his "departure can help Marseille's finances".[12]

Chelsea

Azpilicueta in action against Roma in 2013

On 24 August 2012, Chelsea completed the signing of Azpilicueta for an undisclosed fee, reported as £7 million.[13][14] According to teammate and countryman Juan Mata, "He is a strong running right-back who has pace as well, so I think he is already a complete player."[15] Due to his surname being difficult for some speakers of English to pronounce, club fans gave him the mononymous nickname "Dave".[16]

Azpilicueta made his debut on 25 September 2012, starting in a 6–0 home win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a League Cup tie.[17] He played his first Premier League game the following week, coming on as a substitute for Branislav Ivanović in a 4–1 success over Norwich City, also at Stamford Bridge.

On 3 November 2012, Azpilicueta made his first league start, appearing against Swansea City in a 1–1 away draw.[18] He played 48 official contests in his first year with the Rafael Benítez-led side, including eight in the Blues' victorious campaign in the UEFA Europa League. In the final against S.L. Benfica his 67th-minute handball led to Óscar Cardozo equalising through a penalty kick, in an eventual 2–1 win in Amsterdam.[19]

Azpilicueta scored his first official goal for Chelsea on 29 October 2013, netting the first in a 2–0 success at Arsenal in the fourth round of the League Cup.[20] Following the arrival of new manager José Mourinho, he began appearing regularly as a left-back, taking the place of longtime incumbent Ashley Cole.[21][22] Mourinho said of him: "Azpilicueta is the kind of player I like a lot. I think a team with 11 Azpilicuetas would probably win the competition (Champions League) because football is not just about pure talent".[23] At the end of the season, he was voted the club's Player's Player of the Year.[24]

Azpilicueta in 2015

Before the start of the 2014–15 season, Cole was released and the club spent £15.8 million on Filipe Luís, but Azpilicueta began the season as first-choice left-back.[25] On 2 September 2014, he signed a new five-year contract with the club[26] and, on 18 October, he was sent off in the first half of a 2–1 win at Crystal Palace for a foul on Mile Jedinak.[27]

Azpilicueta started as Chelsea won the League Cup on 1 March 2015. In the second half, he was injured in a collision with Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier, and had to leave the pitch for a bandage to be wrapped around his head.[28] The campaign ended with the additional conquest of the domestic league title, after a five-year wait.

On 2 August 2015, Azpilicueta featured for 69 minutes in the 1–0 loss to Arsenal in the FA Community Shield.[29] Nineteen days later, he scored the team's third goal in a 3–2 away win over West Bromwich Albion, for what was his first Premier League goal,[30] and he netted again in a 2–2 draw in the reverse fixture on 13 January 2016.[31]

Although Azpilicueta was initially used as a left-back under new coach Antonio Conte, after two consecutive league defeats the latter converted into a back-three formation, with the former playing as a centre-back in the following match against Hull City on 1 October 2016, which ended in a 2–0 away win.[32]

International career

Azpilicueta playing for the Spain under-21s.

In 2007, Azpilicueta helped the Spanish under-19 team win the UEFA European Championship. Shortly after he moved to the under-21s, being picked for the 2009 European Championships in Sweden where he started three matches in an eventual group stage exit.

On 11 May 2010, 20-year-old Azpilicueta was named by senior side manager Vicente del Bosque in a provisional list of 30 players, in view of the forthcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup. Eventually, he did not make the final cut.[33]

Azpilicueta was picked for Spain's squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics, after missing out on selection for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. Due to the presence of Álvaro Domínguez, he only appeared in the last group match, a 0–0 draw with Morocco at Old Trafford, as the national team exited in the group stage.

On 1 February 2013, Azpilicueta was named in the squad for the upcoming international friendly against Uruguay. The manager said of the selection: 'Azpilicueta is playing many games for Chelsea. He has a lot of energy, defends well and is always willing to attack. We have a lot of hope for him.[34] He made his debut five days later, playing the full 90 minutes in the 3–1 win in Doha, Qatar;[35] after the match, he said that it was his "dream to play for Spain" at the senior level.[36]

Azpilicueta was selected to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament held in Brazil:[37] he started in the second group game against Tahiti which Spain won 10–0 in a record for the largest margin of victory in the competition,[38] and replaced Álvaro Arbeloa at half-time in the final against the hosts, in an eventual 3–0 loss.[39]

In June 2014, Azpilicueta was selected to represent Spain in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[40] He was the starting right-back during the first two fixtures, against the Netherlands[41] and Chile, as the nation was eliminated at the group stage.[42]

Personal life

Azpilicueta's older brother, Juan Pablo (born 1980), was also a footballer. A midfielder, he competed exclusively in lower league football.[43][44]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 November 2016
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Osasuna B 2006–07[45] Segunda División B 241————241
2007–08[46] Segunda División B 30————30
Total 271————271
Osasuna 2006–07[45] La Liga 1010—1[lower-alpha 1]0—30
2007–08[46] La Liga 29000———290
2008–09[47] La Liga 36020———380
2009–10[48] La Liga 33050———380
Total 99080—10—1080
Marseille 2010–11[49] Ligue 1 15000114[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 3]0211
2011–12[49] Ligue 1 30130308[lower-alpha 2]000441
2012–13[49] Ligue 1 20——1[lower-alpha 4]0—30
Total 471304113010682
Chelsea 2012–13[50] Premier League 27050509[lower-alpha 5]02[lower-alpha 6]0480
2013–14[50] Premier League 290203110[lower-alpha 2]0—441
2014–15[50] Premier League 29020504[lower-alpha 2]0—400
2015–16[50] Premier League 37230008[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 7]0492
2016–17[50] Premier League 1200031——151
Total 1342120162310301964
Career total 3074230203450403997
  1. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  4. ↑ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  5. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, eight in UEFA Europa League
  6. ↑ Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  7. ↑ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

As of match played 15 November 2016[51]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 201340
201460
201520
201660
Total180

Honours

Club

Azpilicueta (standing right), André Ayew and Édouard Cissé celebrate winning the 2011 Trophée des Champions with Marseille
Marseille[52]
Chelsea[52]

Country

Spain U19
Spain U21
Spain

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Barclays Premier League squad numbers 2013/14". Premier League. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Player Profile: César Azpilicueta". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Real Madrid 2–0 Osasuna". ESPN FC. 8 April 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "César Azpilicueta, intentad atacar por la otra banda" [César Azpilicueta, try the other wing] (in Spanish). El Blog de los Trolacas. 20 February 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. ↑ "Azpilicueta, el nuevo 'seguro' de Del Bosque" [Azpilicueta, Del Bosque's new ‘insurance’]. Ideal (in Spanish). 12 November 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "Accord de principe pour le transfert de César Azpilicueta" [Deal arranged for transfer of Azpilicueta] (in French). Olympique de Marseille. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  7. ↑ "OM: Azpilicueta et Modesto arrivent!" [OM: Azpilicueta and Modesto arrive!] (in French). Les Transferts. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Azpi pour 9.5 million euros?" [Azpi for 9.5 million euros?] (in French). Mercato 365. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  9. ↑ "Spartak sucker punch downs Marseille". UEFA. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  10. ↑ Marseille go top but pay high price; Soccerway, 27 November 2010
  11. ↑ Marseille confirm need to sell; Sky Sports, 14 August 2012
  12. ↑ Azpilicueta open to Blues move; Sky Sports, 21 August 2012
  13. ↑ "Azpilicueta signs". Chelsea F.C. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Azpilicueta joins Chelsea". Sky Sports. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Di Matteo: Cesar offers options". Chelsea F.C. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  16. ↑ Moore, Glenn (26 September 2014). "Cesar 'Dave' Azpilicueta shows the attitude to delight Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho". The Independent. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  17. ↑ "Chelsea 6–0 Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "Swansea 1–1 Chelsea". ESPN FC. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  19. ↑ "Ivanović heads Chelsea to Europa League glory". UEFA. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  20. ↑ "Arsenal 0–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  21. ↑ "Schalke 0–3 Chelsea: Impressive Torres bags double". Goal.com. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  22. ↑ "Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta ready to keep sub standard Ashley Cole on the bench". Daily Mirror. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  23. ↑ "Premier League – Mourinho: A team of Azpilicuetas would win the Champions League". Eurosport. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Eden Hazard wins Chelsea Player of the Year award after fine season for Jose Mourinho's side". Daily Mail. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  25. ↑ Johnson, Simon (25 September 2014). "Jose Mourinho has taught me to put the collective first – Chelsea's Filipe Luis happy to play waiting game". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "New contract for Azpilicueta". Chelsea F.C. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  27. ↑ Fifield, Dominic (18 October 2014). "Chelsea stay top after Cesc Fàbregas nets winner at Crystal Palace". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  28. 1 2 Steinberg, Jacob (1 March 2015). "Chelsea 2 Spurs 0". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  29. ↑ "Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  30. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (23 August 2015). "West Brom 2–3 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Chelsea 2–2 West Bromwich Albion". BBC Sport. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  32. ↑ "Hull City 0–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  33. ↑ "Valdés, De Gea, Azpilicueta, Javi Martínez y Pedro entran en la preselección de 30" [Valdés, De Gea, Azpilicueta, Javi Martínez and Pedro make shortlist of 30]. Marca (in Spanish). 10 May 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  34. ↑ "Azpilicueta called up by Spain". Chelsea F.C. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  35. ↑ "Azpilicueta impresses Spain boss Vicente del Bosque on debut". Sky Sports. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  36. ↑ "Cesar Azpilicueta happy after Spain debut". Sky Sports. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  37. ↑ "Azpilicueta: "España todavía tiene hambre"" [Azpilicueta: "Spain is still hungry"]. Marca (in Spanish). 5 June 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  38. ↑ "Spain hit ten in record-smashing win". FIFA. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  39. ↑ "Fred and Neymar claim Confeds for Brazil". FIFA. 30 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  40. ↑ "Spain World Cup 2014 squad". The Daily Telegraph. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  41. ↑ "Spain 1–5 Netherlands". BBC Sport. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  42. ↑ "Spain 0–2 Chile". BBC Sport. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  43. ↑ "Entrevista en El Penalty a Juan Pablo Azpilicueta jugador del C.D. Tudelano" [El Penalty interview to Juan Pablo Azpilicueta C.D. Tudelano player] (in Spanish). iVoox. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  44. ↑ "Juan Pablo Azpilicueta reapareció después de dos meses de baja" [Juan Pablo Azpilicueta reappeared after two months out]. Diario de Navarra (in Spanish). 26 March 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  45. 1 2 "Azpilicueta: César Azpilicueta Tanco: 2006–07". BDFutbol. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  46. 1 2 "Azpilicueta: César Azpilicueta Tanco: 2007–08". BDFutbol. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  47. ↑ "Azpilicueta: César Azpilicueta Tanco: 2008–09". BDFutbol. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  48. ↑ "Azpilicueta: César Azpilicueta Tanco: 2009–10". BDFutbol. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  49. 1 2 3 "César Azpilicueta: Career and Awards". Olympique de Marseille. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games played by Cesar Azpilicueta in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  51. ↑ "César Azpilicueta". European Football. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  52. 1 2 César Azpilicueta profile at Soccerway
  53. ↑ "Hazard wins Player of the Year". 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2016.

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