Thiago Silva, a Chelsea defender, has emphasized the importance of teammate Cesar Azpilicueta, whom he characterized as a "great footballer" as Barcelona considers snatching him.

Since joining the Blues from Marseille ten years ago, Azpilicueta has made over 450 appearances for the club.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Spaniard has won every major trophy available.

However, as he approaches the end of his Chelsea contract, Azpilicueta has been frequently linked with a move away from the club.

The Premier League team had hoped to sign Azpilicueta to a new contract, but the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, has been sanctioned, putting talks on hold.

"Cesar Azpilicueta has been one of my biggest sources of encouragement since I arrived," Silva, who joined Chelsea in 2020, told Mundo Deportivo.

He is one of the few players that has what it takes to be a captain. "He is a terrific footballer and a super-professional who, without a doubt, deserves to be where he is," says the coach. Azpilicueta is in terrible shape."