CHELSEA captain Cesar Azpilicueta wants to finish his career at Stamford Bridge but is reportedly being forced to wait on an offer from the club.
The 32-year-old Spaniard‘s existing deal with the European champions expires at the end of the season.
He would like to continue at Chelsea and see out the rest of his playing days in west London – where he arrived a decade ago.
But, according to The Athletic, the club’s director Marina Granovskaia is prepared to play the waiting game when it comes to a new deal for Azpilicueta.
Granovskaia famously made Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and John Terry wait until the final weeks of the season before offering them one last year at Stamford Bridge.
And the same situation could pan out for Azpilicueta – despite pressure to tie him down amid interest from Barcelona.
Speaking to the club website earlier this month, Azpilicueta said: “As I always said, I feel I have the trust and confidence of the club and now I am focused on every game.
“They are very tough games, and I am enjoying the moment.
“Eventually, the moment will come, but I am fully focused on hopefully getting as many trophies as we can and then we will see.
“I cannot say anything more than that I am really committed and have a lot of things ahead in the coming months and hopefully we can have a very good season.”
Azpilicueta has played more than 450 times for Chelsea.
He has won a host of honours during his time in the capital – including two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and Champions League.
And Tuchel insisted last month that the door is open for Azpilicueta to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer.
He said: “I don’t see any problem here. The situation between Azpi, me and the club is very clear.
“He is our captain. He has all possibilities to stay here as long as possible and become the legend he already is. He is a fantastic captain and a fantastic player.
“He is very calm. He has everything in his own hands. I see no signs we should be worried about it.”
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As well as Azpilicueta, fellow defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are also coming to the end of their current deals.
Chelsea face the very real prospect of losing all three this summer if they do not secure new deals for the trio.
But 37-year-old Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva will be staying for another 12 months after he penned a contract extension at the start of January.
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