Chelsea's Unsung Hero Cesar Azpilicueta Continues to Excel

There have been many individuals praised for Chelsea’s early-season title charge.

Summer signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have received the bulk of praise while the role of Nemanja Matic has also been highlighted as a key factor. 

Manger Jose Mourinho’s considerable influence has also been crucial as Chelsea have negotiated themselves to the summit of the Premier League. 

However, one of the first players on Mourinho’s team sheet continues to be Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta. 

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The former Marseille man’s consistency, alongside others in the Chelsea defence, has been as important as the goals of Costa or the assists of Fabregas. 

The full-back’s contributions have not gone completely unnoticed. Gary Neville, speaking on the Monday Night Football show on Sky Sports earlier this month, described Azpilicueta in glowing terms:

“When I watch him, he’s as near to perfect as possible when it comes to defending; he’s immaculate.”

This was typified by the fact that Mourinho pitched his man, known affectionately to the Chelsea support as "Dave," straight back into the team at Liverpool at the weekend following suspension.

Azpilicueta underlined his importance in his return the team with a sensational run and cross for Diego Costa to smash home the winner on Saturday's win at Anfield.   

It was only his second goal of the season he has laid on for a teammate which perhaps points to the reason he sometimes slips under the radar when it comes to the accolades. His game is based more on a typical Jose Mourinho defender DNA of reliability and desire. 

Assisting at the top end of the pitch is not Azpilicueta’s primary function in the Chelsea system. With the creativity of Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Co. it’s hardly needed. 

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Moreover, it is his unwavering consistency which makes him a first choice at Stamford Bridge. His stats showcase his significant contribution. Only Matic has averaged more tackles this season for Chelsea, WhoScored.com, while the Spaniard has also averaged the most interceptions per game in the blues' squad.   

His tireless efforts have never been lost on Mourinho. The "special one" stated last season that a team of 11 Azpilicuetas would win the Champions League. Addressing reporters before Chelsea’s last-16 Champions League tie with Galatasary last season, Mourinho said:

"Football is also about character and personality and Azpilicueta has all those traces of a winning personality."

There can be few more reliable full-backs in the Premier League, or world football, at present. An initial fee of just £6.5 million for his services back in 2012 now seems an absolute steal. 

The contributions of Azpilicueta also sum up the truth about Chelsea’s success so far this season. That he is an efficiently functioning part of a bigger collective machine which seems on an unstoppable path towards Premier League glory.

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