Even though Cesar Azpilicueta left Chelsea to join Atletico Madrid in 2023, he’s still fondly adored by the Blues supporters.
Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta played at Chelsea between 2012 and 2023, creating an incredible legacy for himself.
Chelsea’s greatest ever team, voted for by the club’s fanbase during the recent March international break, included Azpilicueta in the XI at right-back. It’s thoroughly deserved because he was the definition of consistency during his spell in West London.
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
508 17 51 9
Cesar Azpilicueta’s record at Chelsea
Now aged 35, Azpilicueta is a squad player for La Liga giants Atletico Madrid. The fact he can play anywhere across the backline certainly makes the veteran ace extremely handy for Diego Simeone’s side.
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Cesar Azpilicueta scores for Atletico Madrid for the first time since Chelsea goal in 2022
Azpilicueta was handed a rare start for Atletico on Saturday during the La Liga match away to Espanyol, filling in at left-back.
It was a surprise to see him open the scoring in spectacular fashion of the 1-1 draw league, firing in a magical volley from outside the box. For Chelsea fans that remember, it was reminiscent of a goal he once scored for the Blues against Leicester City in the 2016/17 season.
Not only was Azpilicueta’s unforgettable strike of the highest order, but it was also his first goal in club football since the 2021/22 season in Chelsea colours.
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The defender had not previously scored since 20 April 2022 in a Premier League defeat to Arsenal. He’s just broken that duck with something special this weekend, although he’ll surely be disappointed it was in a game where Atletico dropped two points in the title race.
Like Azpilicueta, former Chelsea player Conor Gallagher also now plays in Madrid with Atletico. Interestingly, Azpilicueta translated in training for Gallagher when he first moved clubs last summer.
Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
Chelsea do miss Cesar Azpilicueta
While Azpilicueta is clearly winding down and towards the latter stages of his career, Chelsea do miss someone like him in the dressing room. He’s the type of leader and model professional that the current young Blues squad would learn so much from on a day-to-day basis.
Back in 2023, Gianfranco Zola was shocked by the Chelsea exits of experienced professionals such as Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
We’d advise the club’s recruitment team to target one or two players in the upcoming transfer window this summer to add know-how and experience to the group.
It’s quite noticeable during Chelsea’s dodgy form in 2025 that they’re lacking big personalities and organisers.