César Azpilicueta spent over a decade at Chelsea before leaving them for Atlético Madrid in the last window.
On Thursday, Los Rojiblancos will take on CA Osasuna and the league clash will allow the 34-year-old to face his former club.
Ahead of this tie, Diario de Noticias had a detailed chat with the defender, where his time at Chelsea was also discussed.
The Spain international was linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer of 2022 but the Blues were successful in convincing him to sign a two-year deal.
Azpilicueta made 32 appearances last season and during the course of the campaign he made a decision to leave the Premier League side.
He signed a deal until 2024 at Atlético, and when asked about his future plans, the player talked about his exit from the west London club.
“I’m thinking about today’s training, tomorrow’s training, the next game. I go day by day and I set my goals in the short term. I signed for two seasons with Chelsea [in 2022], but last season I realised that it was time to change,” he said.
“I spoke with the people who manage it and I got the option of coming to Atlético. I’m very excited about this new experience and I take it day by day. I look forward to it.”
The fullback arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2012 and during his time there, he won the Champions League and the Europa League, along with domestic competitions. He has now admitted it wasn’t easy for him to leave Chelsea.
“Of course, it wasn’t easy. It’s 11 years of my life, a very important stage, but all stages have a beginning and an end and that’s how I take it. It’s time to turn the page,” Azpilicueta explained.
“When I arrived at Chelsea, I didn’t do it as a star and, when I look back, I see that everything I achieved was based on a lot of effort and a lot of work.
“I was captain of the team and got the recognition of the people. I feel very proud of everything we achieved in that time and I am very grateful to the people of the club for everything they helped me.”
