Azpilicueta: Great expectations

Ahead of Chelsea’s second game of our tour of Asia, against Bayern Munich later today, Cesar Azpilicueta has spoken to the media about the big season to come.

The defender, who played every minute of every league game as Chelsea claimed the Premier League crown last season, explained the work currently being put in and games such as the ones taking place in China and Singapore, are important in continuing to compete at the very top.

‘After being champions three years ago we had a terrible season and we have to learn from this,’ Azpilicueta said.

‘We know after being champions of the Premier League, every team we are going to face, they want to win more than before so we know that it is going to be harder. That is what we are working on in pre-season, to get into the best shape as soon as possible and to fight for it because it is a big challenge. We are back in the Champions League, we are the current Premier League champions and we have a big season ahead of us.’

Azpilicueta was speaking at the Singapore National Stadium where the games against Bayern and Inter Milan will be played, and he was asked about his Spanish international colleague Cesc Fabregas, and whether with the midfielder having had such a strong end to last campaign, he expects Fabregas to have a major impact this time around.

‘We expect a big season from all of us,’ he replied. ‘Obviously Cesc is a very good player with very good experience and he has given a lot in the team, but what I expect as a team is all of us to keep improving and to reach the targets that we are looking for.

‘We started pre-season with 10 days in Cobham at the training ground,’ he added, ‘working hard with a lot of jobs to do. We are really pleased to come to this country as we were China. We had a really good welcome and we enjoyed the moment and now we are here in Singapore, personally I had never come to this country so it is a big experience for all of us to bring the image of this club to this country and to play football and to try to win the games. That is what we are here for.’

Chelsea v Bayern Munich is Singapore kicks off at 7.35pm local time, 12.35pm UK time.