Azpilicueta named TalkChelsea Player of the Year!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Cesar Azpilicueta has been voted the winner of the TalkChelsea Player of the Year award for 2013/14.

In a vote carried out by TalkChelsea members, Azpilicueta beat the other contenders in a four-man shortlist, including Eden Hazard, John Terry and Gary Cahill.

Despite beginning the season as a utility man, and understudy on either flank to regular full-backs Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole, Azpilicueta has taken his opportunity and made 38 appearances this season, starting 34 of those games.

Scoring against Arsenal early in the season, Azpilicueta has also recorded two assists, with his deflected cross setting up Demba Ba's late winner against Paris St-Germain on Tuesday evening to send the Blues through to the Champions League last four.

Azpilicueta - known as Azpi or "Dave" amongst Chelsea supporters - has enjoyed a magnificent season, and has played an integral role in maintaining one of the fiercest defensive records in Europe.

Indeed, as well as being a vital figure in a defence tat has conceded the least goals and maintained the most clean sheets in the Premier League, Azpilicueta and Chelsea have only conceded one goal at Stamford Bridge thus far in 2014.

A model of consistency and professionalism, Azpilicueta first truly broke onto the scene under the tutelage of Rafael Benitez last season as he competed for a right-back berth with Ivanovic, but the unassuming Spaniard has blossomed under José Mourinho into the Premier League's best left-back.

Everyone at TalkChelsea wishes Dave all the best for the remainder of the season, and also for the World Cup where he is likely to do well for his country given his fine form in 2014.

Congratulations!

[Special Juan 27,093]

Amazing player.

[DoubleO 192]

Congratz! Every player has done well but Azpi deserves this. He's a fighter and still a young player. Has developed massively since José came back!

[didierforever 7,349]

Congratulations. Totally deserved it.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Absolute gem of a player.

Now Hazard's gonna leave

[BloodIsBlue 291]

You guys know we pay Ashley Cole 120k/week and only pay Azpilicueta 30k/week, right? Its a bloody tragedy.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

That must of been very tight.

Last time I checked (about 42 hours ago) Hazard was in the lead by about 6-7 votes.

[Kieran. 6,317]

That must of been very tight.

Last time I checked (about 42 hours ago) Hazard was in the lead by about 6-7 votes.

It was by one vote

[SinineUltra 1,164]

A hardworking player but not vain in his nature or playing style. A true servant to the club and a team player who - also many others like him - deserves all the recognition they can get. Lucky to have him with us.

[sutro 1,026]

Amazing player, that said it should have been Hazard imo.

He bailed us out to many times to not get this title,every other chelsea forum voted for him by a large margin with azpi as second and terry on thirth place.

congrats to azpi on winning this

[The only place to be 11,313]

Didn't realise the poll was going to close so soon. I would've actually voted for Hazard because he's been the best player for us. Azpi has been fantastic but in terms of the person who probably helped shape this season then Eden is that guy.

[The Power 147]

Dave deserves it, he's been one of our most consistant performers and in the LB role, when he's always played at RB in the past. Top guy.

[AswinR 96]

HES BEEN A REVELATION THIS SEASON .... BUT I FEEL BOTH HAZARD AND 'DAVE' SHOULD SHARE IT....

BOTH EQUALLY IMPROVED AND DOMINATED THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS...

[The Skipper 20,593]

That must of been very tight.

Last time I checked (about 42 hours ago) Hazard was in the lead by about 6-7 votes.

The poll should've been left open for much longer, seems to me that Alex just waited for Azpi to go ahead by one to close the poll.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The poll should've been left open for much longer, seems to me that Alex just waited for Azpi to go ahead by one to close the poll.

cynical Line breaks: cyn|ic¦al

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪnɪk(ə)l

/

ADJECTIVE

• 1Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity:he was brutally cynical and hardened to every sob story under the sun

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/cynical

[FabHazard 655]

it should be open for some more time....who knows what will happen in ucl semis...what if hazard steps up in these games...it is little too early..

[Juguard 4]

Congrats Azpi. I too believe voting was done too early, but still, his a great player, and hope he will become a legend at the club, and I think he will if he continues like he is right now.