MY ACCOUNT
Thomas Tuchel says it is “good news” that Cesar Azpilicueta’s contract extension has been triggered at Chelsea, and hopes the Blues captain will stay at least another year at Stamford Bridge.
The Spain defender’s deal was due to come to a close at the end of the current campaign, but has automatically renewed for a further season after he hit a number of games this term.
It comes amid what is effectively a transfer embargo on the club due to outgoing owner Roman Abramovich’s sanctions in relation to the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
With Azpilicueta able to walk as a free agent at the end of the campaign, Tuchel admitted he was happy to tie his captain down, though he could still leave if restrictions are lifted before next season.
“I knew it was going to happen because I knew the amount of games before it was going to happen,” he stated. “It was so close.
“It’s a good thing, we were aware of it. It’s good news for us. We have a contract, he’s our captain, it’s a very high possibility he will stay.”
The same concerns linger for other out-of-contract players however, with defender Antonio Rudiger one of the biggest names linked with an exit.
Amid reports the Germany international’s brother and agent met with Barcelona – who have also reportedly pursued Azpilicueta in recent weeks – Tuchel acknowledged he too would chase the former if he was available.
“I would try to meet him [Rudiger] if I were any other club,” he added. “Still, he’s our player and I still think we have a good chance he stays our player once things are solved for us.
“The situation is the situation at the moment. Our hands are tied, we cannot speak to him and offer him or negotiate or renegotiate with his agents.
“So it is fair enough if he listens to other offers. That is the way things go, but I’m still confident.”
