Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has picked out Eden Hazard, Didier Drogba and Diego Costa because the ‘hardest’ opponents he has ever had the misfortune of dealing with.
Throughout an illustrious 19-year profession in senior soccer so far, Azpilicueta has performed each in opposition to and alongside a complete host of the best gamers of his era.
The 35-year-old is maybe greatest remembered for his 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge, the place he received 9 items of silverware in whole, together with two Premier League titles and the 2020/21 Champions League.
Previous to even becoming a member of Chelsea in 2012, Azpilicueta had lifted three trophies with Marseille – and the veteran Spaniard will probably be decided so as to add to his spectacular CV earlier than he finally hangs up his boots.
Azpilicueta’s Atleti tackle top-of-the-table Actual Madrid this weekend in what may show a decisive match within the race for the La Liga title this season, with only one level separating the 2 sides.
Ought to he be chosen, Azpilicueta will probably be tasked with retaining the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe quiet on the Bernabeu, two gamers broadly regarded to be among the many prime abilities on the planet.
However talking to ESPN forward of the eagerly anticipated conflict, the veteran defender claimed Hazard, Drogba and Costa stood out above the remaining because the trickiest he had ever come up in opposition to.
‘Wow. Nicely, one which comes out shortly is Eden Hazard,’ Azpilicueta mentioned.
‘He was my team-mate for a very long time however then I used to be at Marseille when he performed for Lille. I keep in mind half-time in opposition to him…
‘Didier Drogba was one. He was enjoying for Galatasaray, I used to be at Chelsea, and he was fairly a troublesome striker.’
After briefly mulling it over, Azpilicueta added: ‘Diego Costa I might say for the third one.
‘Three gamers that I performed each with and in opposition to.
‘I knew how they have been as a team-mate and likewise as an opponent they usually have been nice battles.’
Azpilicueta has made 11 appearances in all competitions for Atletico Madrid this season, together with six begins within the Spanish prime flight.
The defender is out of contract on the finish of the 2024/25 marketing campaign having signed a one-year extension within the Spanish capital final summer season.
For extra tales like this, verify our sport web page.
Observe Metro Sport for the newest information on
Fb, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow
MORE: Robbie Fowler names participant who’ll cease Arsenal successful the Premier League title
Arrow
MORE: Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Crystal Palace eyeing up Championship wonderkid
Arrow
MORE: Ruud van Nistelrooy responds to Gary Neville’s damning assertion about Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd
