Jose Mourinho had nothing but positive things to say about Cesar Azpilicueta when both were still at Chelsea in 2014, insisting that the Spaniard is the type of player that the Special One ‘adores’.
Azpilicueta, now 33 years of age, has reportedly agreed personal terms over a two-year deal with Inter according to Sky Sport Italia, and is now set to leave Stamford Bridge after an 11-year spell.
Speaking while still the coach of Chelsea, Mourinho, now in charge of Roma, said that: “Azpilicueta is the type of player that I adore.”
He continued: “I think a team with 11 Azpilicuetas could probably win the Champions League because football is not just pure talent. Football is also character and personality and Azpilicueta has all the characteristics of a winning personality.”
Sky reports that Chelsea are willing to terminate Azpilicueta’s contract to allow him to leave on a free this summer, despite the fact that he still has another year remaining on his current deal.
Barcelona had been close to snapping up the Chelsea captain last season, but instead focussed their attention on attaining the services of Jules Kounde.
Now, Azpilicueta seems to be a few short steps away from teaming up with Simone Inzaghi and the rest of the Nerazzurri squad, who could also welcome a second new defender in the coming weeks in the form of Aarhus’ Yann Bisseck.