Azpilicueta - Legend departs

[Bob Singleton]

 

[My Blood Is Blue]

Top guy, a brilliant player and an absolute professional. He will rightly go down as a Chelsea legend.

His recent decline has been hard to watch, but even through that you could never fault his effort, even when his body may not have been able to do the things it used to, he has always put in maximum effort and pushed harder than anyone in the team to try and help us produce the results.

Thank you Azpi!

[thevelourfog]

That goodbye video actually got me, welled up a little. What a player, what a signing, what a man. Little sad that his final season with us was ... Well, that season. But fitting in its own way given he stayed precisely because we were in a hole and needed him last summer. He can't be the player we need any more but we'll still sorely miss him.

[BMox81]

I’m not crying you’re crying.

The last of the legends. A consummate professional and will go down as one of the all time greats to play for our club.

Thank you for all the memories Dave. 💙

[Mark Kelly]

29 minutes ago, Bob Singleton said:

 

Now THAT'S a leaving video.

[Ham]

Note to Mason Mount. THAT'S what a legend leaving a club he loves looks like. 

No script. 

No PR spin. 

Just pure emotion. 

Adiós Dave you wonderful man 💙

 

[JaneB]

I'm in bits after watching that video.  

I can't add anything useful to what has already been said.

One of our greats in absolutely every way.  Wish him nothing but the best of everything.

[Sciatika]

Eleven years, 508 appearances, one of the most consistent backs, left and right, in the premier league, and probably the best one-on-one defender. For young players, he is an object lesson on how it should be done. I wish him the best wherever life leads him. 

[chara]

One of those players who just by walking back on the SB pitch in any capacity will be greeted with warmth appreciation and delight by all present..says it all ....."Gracias Maestro".....and "Suerte".

Just watched the video...." Only people make you cry"..sometimes for all the right reasons...and in my case it's just allergies.

[Bert19]

A Chelsea Legend. A proper one.  Not a cheap use of the term.  

He's been an incredible servant to the Club and has clearly got as much love for it and the fans as anyone ever has.  And I don't know about anyone else, but i've always felt it's been mutual with him.  Fans have recognised his service and hold him in incredibly high regard because of it.  

He deserves all of the love and tributes he's getting today, 11 years at any Club is quite an achievement - but to do what he's done here after being bought in to a team full of stars as a £7m young full-back probably viewed as a decent squad option is nothing short of remarkable. 

Farewell Captain and Thank You for Everything 💙

[McCreadie]

One of my all time greats. Always gave everything, a model of high level consistency. Thanks for everything Dave. You will always be warmly welcomed back here.

[Chelsea_Matt]

Best value signing ever, wonderful player, fantastic guy. Adios y gracias, César. 💙💙💙

[Holymoly]

4 hours ago, Mark Kelly said:

Now THAT'S a leaving video.

Classiest captain we've had. Hell of a CV. Thank you for everything. The kids need to take note.

[Thiago97]

Sad to see him leave. I think we will really miss him, maybe not so much on the pitch, but his personality and influence on the players and the club. I would have liked him to stay and retire here, before transitioning into the coaching side. At same time, maybe another couple of years playing is what he wants before calling it a day. 
Great signing and servant to the club. 

 

[east lower]

Must’ve got some dust in my eyes whilst watching that! 🥹

Adios Il Capitano.

That’s the sort of MAN you need at your club to get the likes of the man/boys to understand what loyalty and appreciation actually looks like.

[exiledblue]

Dave is one of us and a big part of what we have achieved. Everyone's time comes and his is now. I wish him well and look forward to seeing him again soon.

[blueandproud]

"Dave" was a top man and a top player, and a PROPER legend, unlike some players who are cheaply regarded as legends by certain sections of the media or their ex pro mate football pundits.  He will be missed by everyone who supports the club.  Farewell Dave,  a true LEGEND.

[Gurj SS]

Brilliant guy, brilliant captain, brilliant player too who gave his all whenever he was on the pitch; and was leader of a great set of players and he really held the group together and made them bond so well. I think we'll miss his character more than we realise, I hope the club tried to make him stay or at least spoke to him about returning in a coaching role of some sort, he's the type of professional you want to have influence young and upcoming players.