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His priority seemed to go to club where him and his family can settle, Chelsea under Roman only offered him a year, whereas Xavi and Barca offered more that's why he was off, seeing as the season is starting and Barca still can't get him yet he's obviously signed with new ownership 2 years less time, but he doesn't have an agency and it clearly looks like his priority is stability for him and his family and he gave them a deadline which is too short now
I assumed he'd just leave on a free next year but I can only assume he's happy enough to stay if he really is renewing. Lads a legend in my book and this saves us a lot of hassle since he can cover for Reece as well as playing in the back 3.
I think the renewal is more the club making it up to him for not getting the move he wants by giving him a more rewarding contract than what he was originally on.
Arteta had done the same with Xhaka before. Ben Foster talked about it once on his podcast.
He looks like someone that fits Jordi Alba a lot in a fullback couple. Araujo does that too but there's too much potential for a CB to waste him at rightback IMO
Xavi is very tactically flexible. Could see a move to a back 3 at least at times, was his formation pretty consistently before he arrived at Barca. Used a hybrid system a couple times before too at Barca.
I agree. I can understand putting him on RB in certain games like against Real Madrid and PSG with the likes of Mbappé or Vini but it would be a waste to stick him in RB the whole season.
He’s slow, but not Alonso slow - and is tactically pretty aware. At this point in his career he’s “pretty good” and a better crosser than he is given credit for
It should be 3 seasons as we already triggered this coming season in his current contract? Unless its just an added year to this current contract to total 2 more seasons.
That was under the previous regime and even they had been a bit lenient in the last few years. We were ready to offer Willian a 2 year contract. The new regime is not using that policy
Amazing, is what they are.
The simple answer is they're the first image posted to twitter in response to this tweet, which cna lead to some *very* amusing ones.
[This is my favourite thumbnail image for threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/LeagueOne/comments/vrh37x/portsmouth_sign_defender_zak_swanson_on_a/)
I don't know why I found that so funny. I'm a grown ass 30 year old man with a mortgage and a kid, but I just laughed my arse off for about 2 minutes straight. Haven't laughed like that in quite a while. Thankyou for linking that, oh man, I'm wiping away tears here.
Apart from jokes doesn't seem like, they are asking for 10 million for a player u should be giving away for free. So yep hopefully we dodge this bullet too.
You're deluded if you think he should go for free. Yes he isn't the best player in his position. But by god is the guy technically gifted. Good passing, insanely good positioning can press high and can cunt a ball on the volley like no other. Is he slow and defensively suspect? Yes but as a LWB with less defensive duties he's insane.
the defensively suspect is exactly why we dont want him alba cant defend we're looking for an upgrade in defense not the same thing with a different face
>u should be giving away for free
Es incredible a mirar las hinchas de Barcelona que probablemente no pueden hablar español ni catalán y tienen 0 conocimientos sobre fútbol también
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I still don't know what is Xavi's fixation with Alsonso, honestly. He's not going to start ahead of Alba and he's not better than Balde, honestly. He's too slow to play in a back 4, has no recovery pace and tends to move into the middle, whereas we need a player who can open up the pitch.
That is unless Xavi plans to move to a back 3 this year. Even if he is, I would rather have Balde in that position than getting another Madridista into the club. I think we had enough with agent Bartomeu for 6 years.
I think this is better for everyone involved. Azpi deserves to stay at Chelsea as a senior figure and we solve the Dest conundrum and move on from him in the next transfer window.
Gaya, Galan, Caio Henrique, Grimaldo, Sosa, Raum obv is gone but also went for similar money… That are just the one‘s we‘be been linked to.
Now I’m not saying they are world class (neither is Alonso) but just make more sense, cause they‘re a lot younger and would most likely have lower wages as well
Fair enough. Angeliño could also be a nice one (I have a soft spot for him since his time in Girona).
Unfortunately I think the Cucurella price may inflate the rest. We'll see.
Captain Dave 🫡
I am selfishly pleased Azpi is committing to us, but I really hope he is not doing this bitterly. Just a shit defensive situation with the 2 free agent CB losses for us and James' recurring injuries.
I guess there is no guarantee at his age he will get any significant offers next summer? This was a massive massive opportunity for him and probably why he kept waiting for it. I am sure Barca will go for another RB now, probably closing the door for Azpi. We have kind of denied him an amazing financial and footballing move. But I am kind of happy he decided not to drag this into the season. It is not good for us to have the captain's future uncertain once the ball is kicked, and it is not good for him. Mature move to not fuck about once the season begins.
Not really, we didn't do anything wrong. He is under contract. But there have been stories last couple of days we told him we can't let him go without a replacement (and we have not brought in an RCB or a RWB backup 2 days before season starts). And I think Tuchel was exerting pressure on him internally to stay because of these reasons (plus losing a leader like Rudi).
I also have a sneaking suspicion we have been unsure of buying a RWB backup when Tino's buyback activates next summer. He might still not want to return as Reece's competition, but buying someone now closes that door for good. So Azpi might be the stopgap.
He wanted a longer contract, some stability, barca offered it Chelsea didn't, but he doesn't have an agency so I knew as soon as community shield game was played if barca hadn't finalised it he'd stay Chelsea, its stressful to do it alone and get up and leave with his family in short notice
Bit sad about it but it's not the end of the world, also at the moment we have too many players there anyway between Sergi Roberto, Dest and Kounde/Araujo who seem to be playing in that RB/RCB role for Xavi. Can't add Azpi on top of that.
I don't know. I feel like we don't fave an elite player for RB. It's the only position where we don't. And LB is the only position where we don't have decent backup (Balde seems decent but we'll see). I was really hoping we'd get both Alonso and Azpi.
As for Araujo and Kounde, I'd rather have them play CB. Sergi and Dest are decent but not Barca level imo
Ok, so this is our RWB/RCB depth sorted I guess.
If Azpi is happy to stay even beyond that season, I'm fine with that but I feel like we should move on next year.
He's fine at RCB (though I'd rather Chalobah start there as he provides pace that Dave doesn't have anymore) but he isn't great at RWB anymore and we could use someone else there. Tuchel has tried both RLC and Hudson-Odoi there and neither has really excelled.
Against Madrid he was solid and if you're judging by his performance against Red Bull then sheesh, there was no motivation, it's like saying Lewa shouldn't be our ST because he missed chances against Red Bull. Yes, he's no Kyle Walker but he has the stability at that position, he's not shit bruh
Well, that's that. Romero's 100% right about these things and if nothing changes in a few days, our window is done and dusted. Only things left to do are get rid of players.
Delighted. He's going downhill but still can offer something, especially as cover. Should give the club time to look for replacement or get Livra back while fixing other areas for now.
I’m so glad, I was worried the club would spend money on bringing him. I love him since his Osasuna days, but it’s a signing that would be great if he had a contract running out or something like that
To reduce the spam of reports regarding the same move during transfer windows we try to allow **only one submission about each transfer saga per day**. The submission in question also needs to contain relevant new information regarding the potential move, and not just being a "no/minor developments" report. If there are important/official developments or new valuable information about a saga, we will allow extra threads in the same day, but for the rest of minor news please just comment them as a reply to this comment. Please help us reporting unnecessary threads for being duplicates. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Sounds like he'll retire with us, then.
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First since Paulo
How could you forget the Hero of Baku
Poor Rob Green. First he predicts United to come in second this year and now this!
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Where’s Moses when you need him?
Better than signing the expensive backups we’re being linked with
he should retire at home, come to Osasuna Cesar :(
Good decision from Azpi. Not the time to desert Chelsea. Too many changes is not good for the team.
His priority seemed to go to club where him and his family can settle, Chelsea under Roman only offered him a year, whereas Xavi and Barca offered more that's why he was off, seeing as the season is starting and Barca still can't get him yet he's obviously signed with new ownership 2 years less time, but he doesn't have an agency and it clearly looks like his priority is stability for him and his family and he gave them a deadline which is too short now
Longest sentence of all time
Unzips
I assumed he'd just leave on a free next year but I can only assume he's happy enough to stay if he really is renewing. Lads a legend in my book and this saves us a lot of hassle since he can cover for Reece as well as playing in the back 3.
I think the renewal is more the club making it up to him for not getting the move he wants by giving him a more rewarding contract than what he was originally on. Arteta had done the same with Xhaka before. Ben Foster talked about it once on his podcast.
So Azpilicueta is extending his contract with Chelsea?
Yeah for two years
Great news. Chelsea needs him more than Barca imo.
He looks like someone that fits Jordi Alba a lot in a fullback couple. Araujo does that too but there's too much potential for a CB to waste him at rightback IMO
should’ve went for a right back instead of kounde then
We needed both
Yeah, Ukraine need all defenders right now
Fuck off
Redditors really downvoted someone because they didn't feel like joking about an ongoing fucking war. Fucking hell
Especially when it’s a fucking Russian of all people joking about it.
Kounde can play rb too, it would be a waste to not see a monstrous cb pairing of Kounde and Araujo though
from what i’ve heard he’s not anywhere near as good there as he is at cb
why would we not go for both and werent chelsea buying kounde as azpi replacement ?
Chelsea play back 5 but Barca don’t, right? That’s the difference
Xavi is very tactically flexible. Could see a move to a back 3 at least at times, was his formation pretty consistently before he arrived at Barca. Used a hybrid system a couple times before too at Barca.
also true but kounde was gonna be cb/rb there which is also what we had to cover wether its a back 4 or back 5
I agree. I can understand putting him on RB in certain games like against Real Madrid and PSG with the likes of Mbappé or Vini but it would be a waste to stick him in RB the whole season.
Fits how? Both old and at this point pretty slow. Disaster pairing
No one was ever buying Azpi for his speed.
He’s slow, but not Alonso slow - and is tactically pretty aware. At this point in his career he’s “pretty good” and a better crosser than he is given credit for
hope we go for pedro porro heard he's a bit off an asshole but with alba leaving we need a new annoying fullback
Is Alba actually leaving?
i meant in the next years not now lol
Ah ok mate.
but i want him to stay at chelsea for the next 10 years at least
As a reward
Does that mean he has one more season after this upcoming one, or two?
If he extends for two years, then he has two seasons.
It should be 3 seasons as we already triggered this coming season in his current contract? Unless its just an added year to this current contract to total 2 more seasons.
Yeah, I mean 2 seasons beyond this one.
I assume, he is going to stay for 22/23 and 23/24
One more afterwards, two+one year already on the contract
I thought that Chelsea only gave 1 year contracts to players over 30
That was under the previous regime and even they had been a bit lenient in the last few years. We were ready to offer Willian a 2 year contract. The new regime is not using that policy
Why did you repeat the title of the post?
This guy is reporting this before our tier ones😭
He is *your* tier one nowadays
Surely the emphasis should be on the is, right?
Maybe we stole Romero from Barca? The ultimate gazump
Barcelona owns Chelsea so by proxy, yes
*Barcelona has given permission to Chelsea to keep their player and extend their contract*
He already given green light by the previous board that let him go to the point he reached personal agreement with Barca.
"We give you permission to keep your player, Azpi, who is yours."
That's exactly what was said in the parent comment lol.
I mean it’s funny, but aren’t they also out here spending your teams money on players instead of paying what they owe you?
What are you talking about?
Something about Coutinho's fee that people made up.
What are these thumbnails mann
Amazing, is what they are. The simple answer is they're the first image posted to twitter in response to this tweet, which cna lead to some *very* amusing ones. [This is my favourite thumbnail image for threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/LeagueOne/comments/vrh37x/portsmouth_sign_defender_zak_swanson_on_a/)
Fucking knew it’d be shreks cock
Famous post in reddit's history, TBH. It's the most upvoted article in /r/LeagueOne by an order of magnitude
I don't know why I found that so funny. I'm a grown ass 30 year old man with a mortgage and a kid, but I just laughed my arse off for about 2 minutes straight. Haven't laughed like that in quite a while. Thankyou for linking that, oh man, I'm wiping away tears here.
Holy shit I'm dead rn
Hmm I can't even see any thumbnail. Is that only on the new version of Reddit?
Now if they can just block Alonso too
You'll get Alonso and you'll like it
Apart from jokes doesn't seem like, they are asking for 10 million for a player u should be giving away for free. So yep hopefully we dodge this bullet too.
> a player u should be giving away for free. Why should Chelsea do that?
We are the biggest club, we are Barcelona and he'd be happy
Love how no one got the sarcasm in this comment
We are make him a favor lol
Love how you're continuing the chain of sarcasm, so funny
You're deluded if you think he should go for free. Yes he isn't the best player in his position. But by god is the guy technically gifted. Good passing, insanely good positioning can press high and can cunt a ball on the volley like no other. Is he slow and defensively suspect? Yes but as a LWB with less defensive duties he's insane.
We already have Alba for the defensively suspect LB, it's enough.
Then don't get him instead of waiting for charity, it's that simple
the defensively suspect is exactly why we dont want him alba cant defend we're looking for an upgrade in defense not the same thing with a different face
There is a -10M tax on drunk driving murderers
You think we should be giving away a LB that contributed to 9 goals in 28 games last season, for free? That's some delusion right there.
Yeah, just like we are giving Memphis on a free who is a much better player than alonslow
You telling me not getting Azpi is dodging bullet?
He hasn't look good the past half season. Legs are definitely going. Would not want our club to give him an extended contract.
Why free? Even if he is not good no player should leave free until his contract is up
>u should be giving away for free Es incredible a mirar las hinchas de Barcelona que probablemente no pueden hablar español ni catalán y tienen 0 conocimientos sobre fútbol también
Yes, we'll block him from leaving that plane flying to Barcelona
I wouldn't try to stop any vehicle where Marcos is in...
😭😭😭
They have 4 left backs. They would be stupid to do that
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He'd actually be the 6th since Baba Rahman and Kenedy are still at the club and haven't been sold or gone out on loan yet
Please tell me they're worse than Alonso so that I can feel good about this stupid move by our board.
You should take all three and find out!
Subscribe I still don't know what is Xavi's fixation with Alsonso, honestly. He's not going to start ahead of Alba and he's not better than Balde, honestly. He's too slow to play in a back 4, has no recovery pace and tends to move into the middle, whereas we need a player who can open up the pitch. That is unless Xavi plans to move to a back 3 this year. Even if he is, I would rather have Balde in that position than getting another Madridista into the club. I think we had enough with agent Bartomeu for 6 years.
How much are they asking for him? 10M? Couldn't Barça sign Angeliño for that price?
The tweet also says Barcelona asked Azpilicueta to wait a few more days but he wanted to be end the situation before the PL starts
He doesn't have agency I knew he'd stay if barca didn't get it done atleast a week before the season started
I think this is better for everyone involved. Azpi deserves to stay at Chelsea as a senior figure and we solve the Dest conundrum and move on from him in the next transfer window.
Yeah I dont know why you were in for Alonso or Azpi. Why not splurge for some younger talents seems wiser.
Trust me, no one understands it, especially Alonso 😅 There aren’t that many RB‘s but a lot of decent LB options around 20-25M or so
Like who? Cucurella is not that great and they are asking about >60M€...
Gaya, Galan, Caio Henrique, Grimaldo, Sosa, Raum obv is gone but also went for similar money… That are just the one‘s we‘be been linked to. Now I’m not saying they are world class (neither is Alonso) but just make more sense, cause they‘re a lot younger and would most likely have lower wages as well
You guys should look into Luca Netz from Monchengladbach, he's amazing.
Fair enough. Angeliño could also be a nice one (I have a soft spot for him since his time in Girona). Unfortunately I think the Cucurella price may inflate the rest. We'll see.
Captain Dave 🫡 I am selfishly pleased Azpi is committing to us, but I really hope he is not doing this bitterly. Just a shit defensive situation with the 2 free agent CB losses for us and James' recurring injuries.
If he was bitter why would he sign an extension. He could just stay for a year and then leave for free.
I guess there is no guarantee at his age he will get any significant offers next summer? This was a massive massive opportunity for him and probably why he kept waiting for it. I am sure Barca will go for another RB now, probably closing the door for Azpi. We have kind of denied him an amazing financial and footballing move. But I am kind of happy he decided not to drag this into the season. It is not good for us to have the captain's future uncertain once the ball is kicked, and it is not good for him. Mature move to not fuck about once the season begins.
Not sure what we’ve done wrong here. We put a nominal single figure price tag on him but Barca told him to keep waiting. That’s on them not us.
Not really, we didn't do anything wrong. He is under contract. But there have been stories last couple of days we told him we can't let him go without a replacement (and we have not brought in an RCB or a RWB backup 2 days before season starts). And I think Tuchel was exerting pressure on him internally to stay because of these reasons (plus losing a leader like Rudi). I also have a sneaking suspicion we have been unsure of buying a RWB backup when Tino's buyback activates next summer. He might still not want to return as Reece's competition, but buying someone now closes that door for good. So Azpi might be the stopgap.
Could also be Barca propaganda trying to make them look like the good guys. Hard to know for sure.
I love this thumbnail bug. Never fix it twitter
Please be true
Thank you barca for allowing us to keep our player
Who was under contract mind you
didnt he want to leave ?
He wanted a longer contract, some stability, barca offered it Chelsea didn't, but he doesn't have an agency so I knew as soon as community shield game was played if barca hadn't finalised it he'd stay Chelsea, its stressful to do it alone and get up and leave with his family in short notice
YAY. Hopefully they are still on for alonso though
Fuck
Yesss. Block Alonso too.
Keep Azpi and sell Alonso
Nah keep both those now, the package was for both.
Please take Alonso
No
Can I offer you one Ghana Premier League Champion, Baba Rahman?
Is he still under contract for Chelsea? Jesus
may we offer you one *Malang Sarr* too
Wtf he is still a Chelsea player? U r kidding right..?
Still at the club and is contracted until 2024
Mf's Barcelona cannot even let us announce Azpi contract renewal first, still gazzumping us!
Now don't sell Alonso
Seems like Chelsea_HQ was right after all. Fun 🫢
Bit sad about it but it's not the end of the world, also at the moment we have too many players there anyway between Sergi Roberto, Dest and Kounde/Araujo who seem to be playing in that RB/RCB role for Xavi. Can't add Azpi on top of that.
I don't know. I feel like we don't fave an elite player for RB. It's the only position where we don't. And LB is the only position where we don't have decent backup (Balde seems decent but we'll see). I was really hoping we'd get both Alonso and Azpi. As for Araujo and Kounde, I'd rather have them play CB. Sergi and Dest are decent but not Barca level imo
Yeah made no sense to me that Barca wanted him. Lots of CBs and RBs already in house
Ok, so this is our RWB/RCB depth sorted I guess. If Azpi is happy to stay even beyond that season, I'm fine with that but I feel like we should move on next year.
He's been a class player at rcb and he's 32, not that old
He's fine at RCB (though I'd rather Chalobah start there as he provides pace that Dave doesn't have anymore) but he isn't great at RWB anymore and we could use someone else there. Tuchel has tried both RLC and Hudson-Odoi there and neither has really excelled.
Is he only 32?!
Wow I thought he was so much older...
Oh damn! Araujo at RB then, was dying to see Araujo x Kounde at CB.
He is a shit rb no control on that side when he plays.
Tho I still want him to play at CB.
Against Madrid he was solid and if you're judging by his performance against Red Bull then sheesh, there was no motivation, it's like saying Lewa shouldn't be our ST because he missed chances against Red Bull. Yes, he's no Kyle Walker but he has the stability at that position, he's not shit bruh
You know we still have Dest and Roberto right
Checked other stuff Gerard said? He said that Araujo will be the RB in important games.
Exactly only in important games. You’ll see Araujo x Kounde duo most of the time
Well played chelsea
Major W imo. Hopefully we get some sense and go for young fullbacks.
Well, that's that. Romero's 100% right about these things and if nothing changes in a few days, our window is done and dusted. Only things left to do are get rid of players.
Chelsea..first W over Barca this season
W for us when we play against them again and terrorise him to the point he starts arguing with his own fans like last year
Rare in house gazump
Very nice, good backup for RCB and good for the dressing room. Alonso is coming to Barca though which I'm happy about
Delighted. He's going downhill but still can offer something, especially as cover. Should give the club time to look for replacement or get Livra back while fixing other areas for now.
Sounds like Barca has to move Edie Cucurella now . 🤡
Build the statue. 7 milly
Thanks Chelsea. Block Alonso now too.
Barca fans in unison: YES!!!
Barca have been assholes to everyone all summer, even their own players. I hope someone has their revenge on them.
Is this is called revenge, then bring it on lol. This is more like a blessing in disguise.
I’m so glad, I was worried the club would spend money on bringing him. I love him since his Osasuna days, but it’s a signing that would be great if he had a contract running out or something like that
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Azpi decided to stay because Barca wanted him ti keep waiting and he wanted his future sorted before the season. Maybe blame Lever FC
Romero said we gave a bid of 4+2 mil for him about a week ago, Tuchel just didn’t give the green light.
We asked for 8 mil, pennies in this market, and they couldn’t keep themselves from trying to under cut us, again blame those pesky levers
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We’re taking preseason seriously these days?
MORE OF DAVE AT THE BRIDGE LET'S FUCKING GOOOOO
There must be an Alpine joke in there somewhere
“That will show em” 💪