Former Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo claims that he pushed the club to sign Cesar Azpilicueta in 2012. Matteo was the manager when Chelsea lifted their first ever Champions League trophy in 2012. The Spanish defender is now a club legend for the Blues who left this summer. He told the ‘Obi One’ podcast that it was he who asked Roman Abramovich about Azpi. Matteo was the manager at Stamford a very short period. Though, his reign marks the FA Cup and the first-ever Champions League to Stamford Bridge. Moreover, they also bought in the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar in the same window.
Though, Azpilicueta went under the radar during his spell at Stamford Bridge unlike the other two. Now, Matteo claims that it was he who bought him there. He said,
“Azpilicueta was amazing. I’m not sure many people knew of him. The final decision was always with Roman, but if you could make a good case he would always be on your side.
Eden was an easy one, because he was the best player in France and he was a young player. Azpilicueta, I made a good case for him and that was easy as well.”
The Spanish veteran went on to become the captain for Chelsea later on. He also won the Europa League and led his side to a second Champions League glory in 2021. While the Italian manager did not even finish the campaign following European success, he certainly made his impact both on and off the pitch during his time in the hotseat.
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