Injury Update: Boost for Chelsea as key first-team star could be ready for pre-season training

Cesar Azpilicueta will be fit for pre-season training

Speaking to the club’s official site, Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta expects to be ready for the club’s pre-season preparations as recovery from injury goes on.

The veteran Spaniard has not featured for the club since being taken off with a hamstring injury in the FA Cup final loss to Arsenal.

The 30-year-old has been training at home with the squad on break until next week. With the new Premier League season set to kick off on 12th September, the Blues will need to get back to work as soon as possible.

“I am hoping to be fit for the start of pre-season.”

Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta expects to be ready for the club's pre-season preparations.
Cesar Azppilicueta is nearing a return to full fitness

Azpilicueta’s return should come as a boost for Chelsea, who have struggled at the back all season. The skipper has been one of the redeeming cases in what has been a largely porous backline.

He clearly has his manager’s trust and has stepped in to do a job in a number of positions across the backline.

Azpilicueta revealed that he is working with a physio on a program from the club. While he is spending time with his family, it has not stopped him from training and working on his recovery.

Cesar Azpilicueta can step in at left-back too when needed (Getty Images)
Cesar Azpilicueta has led from the front (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Provided everything goes well, Azpilicueta feels there is no reason why he will not be ready in time.

“If everything goes well, I will be ready to start pre-season as normal.”

Having joined from Ligue 1 side Marseille in 2012, Azpilicueta has been a vital cog in the Blues squad for eight years now. During this time, he has made 386 appearances, winning six trophies.

Azpilicueta joined Chelsea in 2012
Azpilicueta joined Chelsea in 2012

More Chelsea News

The Blues endured a difficult end to the season. The FA Cup loss to Arsenal and the capitulation at Bayern Munich took the gloss off what has been a promising season.

With new players brought in to reinforce weak areas, Chelsea look set to take the league by storm. With Azpilicueta back, the players now have a leader to rally around.