Defender’s shock Chelsea u-turn symbolic of Todd Boehly’s future transfer plans

Draped in the Chelsea flag, sat in the rows of the West Stand Lower, arguably one of the shocks of this window played out on Thursday evening.Information Guide Nigeria

Chelsea confirmed earlier reports that Cesar Azpilicueta had agreed a two-year deal to remain with the club after a summer where his exit felt an inevitability.

For a face that has been a part of the club’s furniture for nearly a decade, Azpilicueta has been notably absent from Chelsea’s pre-season coverage. Although he was involved in the US games and played the full 90 minutes against Udinese last weekend, the club captain has been on the outskirts and there was a very obvious justification for that.

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He did not give interviews to the press pack that traveled across the pond, his involvement in social media posts released by the club were rare. This was one of the most familiar Chelsea faces fading into the background in a summer of change.

But Todd Boehly might come to reflect that his ability to keep Azpilicueta in an uncertain period could prove more invaluable off the pitch than on it.

That is not even factoring in the defensive concerns of Thomas Tuchel given the exodus of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. Adding on top of that the loan of Levi Colwill to Brighton and Malang Sarr potentially heading to Monaco, the need for depth could not be stronger.

And although Boehly may still be pursuing an eye-catching deal for Wesley Fofana, Azpilicueta certainly eases the pressure slightly before deadline day.

“I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home.” He said in a post on Twitter. “It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club. I really feel the love of our fans and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hand.”JAMB Result

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