Cesar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta is a Spanish professional footballer

César Azpilicueta Tanco (born 28 August 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Chelsea and the Spain national team primarily as a full back but also as a central defender.

A youth product of Osasuna, he spent three seasons in La Liga before switching to Marseille, winning four major honours with the French club. In the summer of 2012, he moved to Chelsea, winning the Europa League in his first season and a domestic double two years later.

On 11 May 2010, 20-year-old Azpilicueta was named by senior side manager Vicente del Bosque in a provisional list of 30 players, in view of the forthcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup. Eventually, he did not make the final cut.

Azpilicueta was picked for Spain's squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics, after missing out on selection for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. Due to the presence of Álvaro Domínguez, he only appeared in the last group match, a 0–0 draw with Morocco at Old Trafford, as the national team exited in the group stage.

Azpilicueta earned 55 caps for Spain at youth level in all age groups, and represented the under-21s in two European Championships, winning the 2011 edition. He made his first appearance with the full side in 2013, and was selected for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

Azpilicueta played every minute of the season as his team won the domestic league, and scored in a 4–3 home win against Watford after the title was already won. In late July 2017, after the departure of John Terry, he was appointed vice-captain.

On 12 September 2017, Azpilicueta scored his first Champions League goal, in a 6–0 group stage home win against Qarabağ FK.

In June 2014, Azpilicueta was selected to represent Spain in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.He was the starting right-back during the first two fixtures, against the Netherlands and Chile, as the nation was eliminated at the group stage.

Azpilicueta was also included in the 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Azpilicueta's older brother, Juan Pablo (born 1980), was also a footballer. A midfielder, he competed exclusively in lower league football.