César Azpilicueta

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

He's been right before, I trust him. Well, wouldn't say trust maybe, just more confident in his reports than 90% of other football sites.

He posts lots of stories and when they're proved wrong deletes them and blocks you if you question him.

[calculatingInfinity 1,443]

Why is every transfer a drawn out, painful experience these days.... does my sweede in !

Because of twitter and every idiot now being able to start rumors that somehow finds their way to forums like this. Transfers has been a long process pretty much every since pro football became a thing, there's just so much more easy exposure to rumors and stuff today.

[Chelsea_Fan 227]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-transfers-cesar-azpilicueta-could-1259400

[Jase 43,479]

http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2012/08/13/azpilicueta-plays-on-for-marseille/

After already crossing the Channel once this summer to sign Lille’s star midfielder Eden Hazard, Chelsea are strongly rumoured to be about to dip into the Ligue 1 talent pool again, this time to pick up the services of Marseille’s right back Cesar Azpilicueta.

The young defender, who will turn 23 later this month, arrived at the Stade Velodrome in the summer of 2010 in a deal worth around 7 million euros, bringing with him quite a pedigree for one so young, having represented Spain at every level up to and including Under-23, winning the European under-19 Championships, and having already amassed 99 appearances for Osasuna.

His early appearances for les Phocéens were less than auspicious however, his performances receiving criticism and his Champions League debut marked with an own goal to condemn OM to defeat against Spartak Moscow.

He quickly acclimatised to the demands of Ligue 1 and of Marseille’s demanding fans, though, and soon established himself as first choice right back, fitting the classic modern mould for a player of that position: strong, quick and reliable in defence but also willing and able to maraud up the field and deliver quality crosses. His ability to deliver a long throw was an added bonus.

Surely not entirely by chance, his finding of form coincided with Marseille’s move up the table. However, in Marseille’s win against Montpellier in late November 2010 which took them to the top of the Ligue 1 table, Azpi’s progress was cruelly curtailed by a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which saw him miss the following six months of the season.

As for any player who has suffered such an injury, there were fears for whether the young Spaniard would be able to return to the same level of performance as prior to the injury. However, those fears proved unfounded. He returned for the final two games of the 2010/2011 season and then last year was a regular in Didier Deschamps’ first team, one of the few consistent performers in what was a disappointing season for the great club, and one of the starting line-up for the Coupe de le Ligue final win, a rare highlight on the Canebière.

On the international scene, Azpilicueta is still waiting for full international recognition, having made the long list for the successful 2010 World Cup squad but missing out on a place in the final 23. He did, however, make the 2012 Olympic squad, originally picked as captain, but in the event only taking to the field for the 0-0 draw against Morocco in what was a disappointing and short-lived campaign.

Azpilicueta must hold high hopes of breaking into the Spanish national squad soon, in what is arguably La Roja’s weakest position, and he may see a high profile move to the Premier League and the reigning European champions (in what could be argued is their problem position too) as the most effective way to catch national coach Vicente del Bosque’s eye.

This summer has proved a rocky time for Marseille, with Deschamps quitting as head coach amid very public disagreements with sporting director Jose Anigo, to be replaced with Elie Baup. No headline players have been brought in and with chairman Vincent Labrune talking of the need to sell in order to raise funds to bring in new players, it may be that the sale of Azpilicueta, one of Marseille’s most valuable current assets, would be a move that suits all parties (except perhaps the die-hard Velodrome fans). Marseille may also see a sale to Chelsea as a chance to add a few extra euros to the fee, with OM looking to sell for around 10 million euros.

In the meantime, Azpi is being the model professional, not allowing the rumours surrounding his future to turn his head and has been the case with others, and he started for les Phocéens in their season-opening victory at Reims this weekend.

Whether or not it proves to be his last match in white and light blue, before moving to a slightly darker shade, remains to be seen. But the young Spaniard clearly has a bright future ahead of him, whichever side of the Channel that future happens to be.

[Billy. 2,742]

Marseille confirm need to sell

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/7988728/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Tricky 301]

Biggest mistake by Carlo in his time with us, in my opinion. I still can´t quite believe it that they went on so hyped up about the signing that they lost any sense for football. He couldn´t get off his Chelsea carreer with a worse starting opertunity as the game against his old club where he was the golden boy.

Well since it provided us with so many laughs "you keep your history we've got Fernando you keep your history" etcetra I'd say it was a perfect start.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Marseille confirm need to sell

http://www1.skysport..._medium=twitter

It says they are willing to sell Ayew as well.

Nice, those two would be a good purchase.

With that tone, it looks like this transfer will most likely go through in the coming days.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Marseille confirm need to sell

http://www1.skysport..._medium=twitter

Wait a minute Andre Ayew too? 22 years old, winger who can play striker, bbc african player of the year last year and the rumor linking him to Inter was under 8 mil. He'd be a good buy.

[Jype 6,398]

It says they are willing to sell Ayew as well.

Nice, those two would be a good purchase.

With that tone, it looks like this transfer will most likely go through in the coming days.

Yep, a cheeky double deal for Azpi & Ayew would be great but can't see it happening because Ayew hasn't even been linked to Chelsea. Still, a great player and shouldn't be too expensive seeing as Marseille are desperate to sell but I suppose we can't buy every half-decent player out there.

[zolayes 14,489]

Yep, a cheeky double deal for Azpi & Ayew would be great but can't see it happening because Ayew hasn't even been linked to Chelsea. Still, a great player and shouldn't be too expensive seeing as Marseille are desperate to sell but I suppose we can't buy every half-decent player out there.

GET IT DONE ,,,,,,,,,,,,,FAST

[Shak 22]

Just give Marseille 10 million + Kakuta for Azpi, that should be enough.

As for Ayew, that's a special player..but from what i've heard, he's got a preference to play in Italy or Spain apparently.

[LeonDavis23 371]

don't need ayew not much better than kakuta imo, its a rb we need and azpi would be great

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Yep, a cheeky double deal for Azpi & Ayew would be great but can't see it happening because Ayew hasn't even been linked to Chelsea. Still, a great player and shouldn't be too expensive seeing as Marseille are desperate to sell but I suppose we can't buy every half-decent player out there.

Don't underestimate the craftiness of Chelsea.

Besides being link to a player don't mean much, since most of the stuff is made up by Metro, Sun and stuff like that.

[zolayes 14,489]

don't need ayew not much better than kakuta imo, its a rb we need and azpi would be great

Ayew looks as good as Moses ,and when did Kakuta play as a striker. Good scoring record

[The Skipper 20,593]

Ayew is a left winger, we're not going to sign him.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Imagine if we could get both for £15m... I'm happy that we're at least addressing the need for reinforcement.

[HNKS 508]

Hurry up and sign Azpili£%£^£%& we need you!

[Kojo 4,676]

Why not Loic Remy?, could be the perfect back up striker we need.