Your whistle-stop guide to the latest Premier League arrivals
Name: Cesar Azpilicueta
Age: 22
Position: Right-back
Signed from: Marseille
Fee: £7 million
Did you know?
Former Marseille player Eric Di Meco responded to president Jean-Claude Dassier claims that Azpilicueta was the future of the Spain national side’s right flank by saying that, if that proved to be the case, he would eat a rat.
What’s the deal?
Chelsea have let Jose Bosingwa leave and are gradually enticing Paulo Ferreira to the glue factory, which means they’re running low on right-backs. Couple that with the opportunity to strike fear into the hearts of commentators up and down the country and a move for Azpilicueta became a no-brainer.
The former Osasuna man has been at Marseille for the past two seasons after a €7million move. The Spain youth international – a member of the underachieving Olympic squad – has signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
What do they say?
“I used to play with him before the Olympics as well as at the Under 21s and earlier. He is a strong running right-back who has pace as well, so I think he is already a complete player. I played against him when he used to play for Osasuna, and he was one of their best players, which is how he is now here with Chelsea.”
Juan Mata
“He is a young player from Marseille, who has come through all the ranks with the youth level of the Spanish team, and he will give us cover at the right-back position with Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic. It gives us more options for the future and competition. We will see who is going to be playing.”
Roberto Di Matteo.
