Linked with us in all the papers this morning, again, open to a move to Chelsea.. fee around 12m

third choice in national team behind Ramos and Arbeloa

i read an article last week on him in the times i think it was saying how the best part of his game was although he's an attacking full back, he's one of the few "attacking" full backs that seem to know there primarily there to defend..

so in theory hes attacking as Bos (although hopefully more useful) and as solid as Ivan.

question is Bollocks or Substance on this one?

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/7441027/Azpilicueta-hints-at-Blues-move

http://theshedender.com/2012/01/tabloid-talk/azpilicueta-admits-that-he-could-be-tempted-by-chelsea

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/296605/Cesar-Azpilicueta-keen-on-Chelsea-move

SkySports Sky Sports

Chelsea target Cesar Azpilicueta claims they need to approach Marseille if they want to sign him this month. #CFC bit.ly/xy2YGW

17 Jan

@SuperSportBlitz SuperSport Blitz

Transfer Talk - Chelsea will reportedly bid for Marseille's Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

I've been intrigued by him since we were linked to him last summer. I hope he's on our shopping list next summer, as I can't see Marseille selling one of their better players when (1) they are still in the CL and (2) they need to secure CL for next season (currently in 6th).

In a perfect world, we sell Bosingwa this summer and Paulo retires and joins the club in some capacity. We sign this guy, who has the attacking and defending qualities we are looking for at RB. Hutch stays healthy and makes a full comeback. Azpilicueta, Ivan, and Hutch at RB going into the next season, and those 3 single-handedly win us 5 competitions....alright I got a little carried away.

Never heard of him

Never heard of him

Tbh I know very little about him also. Reminds me of the del horno transfer a bit.

But what good rb's are even available? There's not a lot of top quality out there. I'd have taken srna but he's 29 now. Maybe we should just stick with ivan

How many of us had heard of our very own number 6 before he turned up this summer? I trust AVB in the transfer market, he has an eye for talent.

How many of us had heard of our very own number 6 before he turned up this summer? I trust AVB in the transfer market, he has an eye for talent.

True, he's done well in the transfer market so far. Although lukaku money could have been used on a player who could have made an immediate impact imo.

If he does turn out to be good then the club will make a fortune on any shirts with his name on the back, I bet you would get loads of points in scrabble if you could use it.

Lukaku seems like a Bebé purchase

Time will tell, he's only a young lad

I think the Lukaku deal was pretty much done before AVB turned up.

Could have been!

My first option would have been Silvio from Braga but Atheltico got in early and got him for dirt cheap, however he is really good as well. I reckon he will have his choice of clubs come the summer, especially with such a low price tag on his head.

I think the Lukaku deal was pretty much done before AVB turned up.

I've also had this impression, especially considering how long we've been linked to him. Possibly seen as more a youth signing, so left to that area of the management structure. Like I wouldn't say AVB necessarily picked Piazon. It's an interesting thought, but purely speculation and no way to be sure at all so it's probably best to stop there.

I had heard of Azpilicueta and heard of him being a very good right back for Osasuna. Didn't pay enough attention in games I saw though. I may have a quick scout at the weekend by downloading some games.

I had a feeling we got Lukaku a year ahead of when we really wanted him because others were looking at him.

I've also had this impression, especially considering how long we've been linked to him. Possibly seen as more a youth signing, so left to that area of the management structure. Like I wouldn't say AVB necessarily picked Piazon. It's an interesting thought, but purely speculation and no way to be sure at all so it's probably best to stop there.

I had heard of Azpilicueta and heard of him being a very good right back for Osasuna. Didn't pay enough attention in games I saw though. I may have a quick scout at the weekend by downloading some games.

Yeah I think Romelu was a non AVB signing, a bit like Modric would have been. I'd still say De Visser has the most say in who we sign. He seems to have Roman's trust in the football department.

Yeah I think Romelu was a non AVB signing, a bit like Modric would have been. I'd still say De Visser has the most say in who we sign. He seems to have Roman's trust in the football department.

I'm not sure Modric would have been, it'd be interesting to know for sure on that front though. I felt Modric was who AVB saw as the closest to a Xavi who can be signed. I dunno, Modric just seemed to tick enough boxes in terms of our needs for me. Lukaku seemed to be a prospect rather than fitting in with the squad in any real way.

According to Wikipedia (which is back now, yay!) he was on the 30-man roster for Spain to go to South Africa, but didn't quite make it. I still want to see this guy play, hopefully Marseille get a televised game in the CL soon.

The following is from Allan Jiang at Bleacher Report's Chelsea section. I usually don't agree with his views regarding AVB and Torres, but I liked what he said about this guy:

Why Chelsea should sign Azpilicueta

He's a solid tackler, reads the play well and is a better defender than José Bosingwa.

A few months ago against Paris Saint-Germain, I witnessed potentially one of the greatest defensive performances this season.

Azpilicueta made six successive tackles and intercepted the ball 12 times. Yes, 12 times.

To put things into context, he dominated Nenê, PSG's best player.

Potentially, Azpilicueta could be a younger version of Albert Ferrer, who was a solid right-back for Chelsea.

Why Chelsea shouldn't sign Azpilicueta

His contract ends in 2014, so it would economically smarter for Chelsea to submit a bid during the summer transfer window or next year's summer transfer window.

Assuming Azpilicueta wants to be a Chelsea player, he'll run down his contract, giving Chelsea the upper hand in negotiations.

Chelsea give themselves no leverage if they make a bid this month, because he'll come at a premium.

Will Chelsea sign Azpilicueta this month?

No.

Marseille are not going to jeopardise their campaign by letting Azpilicueta leave.

Especially when the backup is Rod Fanni, who is mediocre at best.

Especially when the backup is Rod Fanni, who is mediocre at best.

childish giggle of the day!

A young Chappie?

Admit that I have not seen this gugy play, but if he is anything Like Ferrer, that would be a great thing

A young Chappie?

Admit that I have not seen this gugy play, but if he is anything Like Ferrer, that would be a great thing

I would be more than happy if that was true, Chappie was such an incredibly good player for us, so consistent.

talks restarting?

Olympique Marseille defender Cesar Azpilicueta is a target for Chelsea.

The Daily Express says Chelsea have been told they will have to pay £8million for Azpilicueta.

The Spain international is on Chelsea's shopping list as they seek a new fullback signing.

http://www.tribalfoo...licueta-3213391

Edited June 3, 201214 yr by Blueregard

Not a fan. Particularly of the left footedness. Ivan is perfectly fine at RB and Todd Kane is up and coming (he was excellent for England U19's the other night) we still have Bruma to potentially come back in as well.

Edited June 3, 201214 yr by Spiller86

Bruma's going back to HSV next season I believe. And Kane is as far from playing against, say, Tevez as I am from playing like Mata.

Does anyone know anything more about this lad? Better than VDW? I haven't seen anything from either ;/

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/904504-cesar-azpilicueta-back-in-chelseas-transfer-plans

Rumoured that we're back in for him.

I'd rather have him than Maicon, but I'd rather have Debuchy than either.

I'd rather have Azpillicueta than anyone else,played in the CL,young,good technically and can defend.If Debuchy is so good why is 2nd choice behind Sagna for France and at 26 still at Lille?.I wouldn't mind Maicon for 3 years as long as the fee is good.