Cesar Azpilicueta is starting tonight with Reece James out injured, a backup role he has grown used to in the last couple of seasons.
James’ two years troubled by injury have meant plenty of opportunities to start for Spaniard Azpilicueta, who today plays in his 496th game for the club.
That takes him clear of Petr Cech as the club’s all time top non-English appearance maker, and up to 6th on the list of every player at the club.
It’s an astonishing record for a man who arrived as a totally unheralded backup and worked his way to the club captaincy over the course of more than ten years. There are plenty more to come, at this rate.
His legs may not what they used to be, but his passion and commitment remains the same, and when he does leave the club it will truly feel like an era has ended.
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