Frank Lampard has taken to Instagram to react after Chelsea announced the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta. Lampard, who had a unique relationship with Azpilicueta both as a teammate and as his manager at Chelsea, sent a heartfelt message to the Spanish defender.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In his Instagram post, Lampard described Azpilicueta as “Fantastic Azpi” and a “true legend.” He praised his talent, desire, and work ethic, emphasizing that he was an inspiration to everyone. Lampard wished him good luck for the future.
Azpilicueta and Lampard shared the pitch on 58 occasions, winning the UEFA Europa League together in 2013. Lampard then managed Azpilicueta, giving him 71 appearances during his tenure as Chelsea’s manager.
The mutual respect between the two is evident, and Lampard reaching out to Azpilicueta on Instagram after his departure from Chelsea was made official shows the strong bond they share.
Azpilicueta’s departure leaves a significant gap in Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea squad. While his on-pitch effectiveness may have declined, his leadership and presence in the dressing room should not be underestimated. With Chelsea’s squad predominantly young and lacking experienced heads, it would be beneficial for the club to consider finding a replacement with similar experience, even if not necessarily in defense.
Pochettino’s task at Chelsea may become more challenging with the departure of Azpilicueta, but the club will have to find a way to adapt and fill the void left by the Spanish defender.
