Cesar Azpilicueta probed about Chelsea future amid extension clause talk

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has refused to talk about his future at Stamford Bridge at at press conference on Wednesday.

The Spain defender, who is on international duty, could leave the club on a free transfer this summer. However, Chelsea are understood to hold a clause in the Pamplona-born player’s contract. That clause means they can trigger an automatic one-year extension if he reached 30 appearances for this season.

The full-back has surpassed that tally with 35 appearances, including the Club World Cup and Super Cup.

What’s more, according to Marca, Chelsea have already activated that clause.

But Azpilicueta, who was speaking ahead of Spain’s games with Albania and Iceland, did not reference his contract.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with taking Azpilicueta on a free transfer.

Indeed, ESPN claimed Andreas Christensen and Azpilicueta could end up at the Camp Nou this summer.

But when Azpilicueta was asked if he will stay at Chelsea or make the switch to Barcelona, he said: “This is not the time or place to talk about the future.

‘We are living in a time of great uncertainty’

“If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the pandemic and with Chelsea’s current situation it’s that we have to live the day to day, live the moment. Now is the time to focus on the selection.”

It’s certainly a tricky period for Chelsea, who remain under sanctions from the UK Government.

Azpilicueta could stay at Chelsea despite ownership struggles

Azpilicueta could stay at Chelsea this summer despite Barcelona interest and ownership struggles

Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been forced to sell the club, while they are not allowed to sell new tickets for matches.

The club have also had all merchandise sales frozen and have seen limits set on travel expenses.

Azpilicueta added: “At Chelsea we are living in a time of great uncertainty, but the players and the coaching staff can only do one thing, which is to prepare as best as possible for the matches.

“In fact, after the sale of the club was announced, we achieved good results. The rest is not in our hands.”

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