Veteran star rubbishes claims that Chelsea are playing defensive football

Cesar Azpilicueta responds to claims that Chelsea are defensive

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has retorted to claims that the side are defensive under Thomas Tuchel (h/t Metro). The Blues have displayed impeccable form since Thomas Tuchel took over and are yet to lose even a single game.

Lampard was let go in January after a dismal run of results and failure to turn around the same. Thomas Tuchel was brought in soon after and the German has revived the club and their hopes of Champions League football for next season.

Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: 17th March 2021. Picture credit: Sportimage

The Blues have climbed up to 4th place in the Premier League. They have also made progress in the cup competitions with an FA Cup semi-final and Champions League quarter-final to come. In 14 games under the German, Chelsea are unbeaten and have won 10 of those games.

However, one sticking point used has been the style of play often being deemed as defensive by the critics. Veteran defender and club captain Cesar Azlipicueta spoke out on the same.

‘Well, being defensive? There is lots of opinions on that. Some might think that being defensive is just to have the team as deep as you can and put a lot of bodies in the way, but our way of defending has been completely different,’

‘We’ve been trying to be in the other half of the pitch, to push them deep and recover the ball as quick as we can, to not allow counter-attacks.’

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: (L – R) Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea prepare for a corner kick during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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Azpilicueta was among some of the names restored to the starting XI on Tuchel’s arrival. He has not dropped a beat since and looks every bit solid as in his younger days. The Blues will now return to action after the international break when they take on West Brom on Saturday.