Cesar Azpilicueta signs new three-and-a half-year deal at Chelsea until 2020
The 27 year old full back has become a first team regular since establishing himself at the club after his move from Marseille in 2012
CESAR AZPILICUETA has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract at Chelsea where he will now be tied to the club until 2020.
Azpilicueta joined the club in 2012 as the ageing Ashley Cole was nearing the end of his Chelsea career and ultimately usurped the former Arsenal and England left back in 2014.
Cole went on to join Roma before heading to America to play for LA Galaxy and in that time Azpilicueta has become a regular in the team and a stand out performer.
The 27 year old who joined the club from French club Marseille has won the Premier League, Europa League and EFL Cup in his time at the club and with his current sides form it looks like there will be more trophies to come.
Chelsea are taking full advantage of not being in Europe by leading the Premier League by three points ahead of Arsenal and in recent weeks they have had some outstanding results including a 3-1 victory away to title rivals Manchester City.
On signing the new deal the Chelsea defender said: ''I'm really happy to have signed a new contract. Since I arrived here my target was to progress as a player.
''This new contract gives me the chance to continue my relationship with the club, that's I wanted and obviously I'm really happy here.
''We've had some really good moments so far this season. From day one, we started working hard. We have a new manager with new ideas and I'm really happy to be working with him.
Azpilicueta added: ''Obviously we can still improve but the long term aim for us is to win trophies, that is what we all want, the players, manager and fans.''
In a season that has seen defenders being given a torrid time of late, Chelsea know the importance of keeping hold of top quality at the back, therefore it makes sense to tie down one of their key defenders for the next three seasons, once this campaign has finished.
Clubs are clambering over one another to sign the best defenders and if there is any hint whatsoever that a player could be nearing the end of a deal clubs will circle.
Antonio Conte has improved Chelsea defensively with his side conceding just twice since a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates back in September.
And with more clean sheets being registered Chelsea know that once they score its more than likely they can win the game which gives the whole squad a huge boost.
Chelsea are still in the market for a central defender but are more than happy with their full backs in a season that is looking all the more likely to be a successful one.