Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta could be offered a return to Spain if he loses his place to rising star Reece James.
Azpilicueta’s situation is being monitored by Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao after criticism of the Spain defender’s performances for Chelsea this season.
James is in Frank Lampard’s first-team plans, with the 19-year-old right-back expected to put Azpilicueta under pressure once he has recovered from ankle surgery.
Chelsea boss Lampard has proved with the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori that he is keen to bring on the club’s best young players.
Abraham in particular has flourished under Lampard’s policy of giving youth a chance, rewarding his manager’s faith with four goals so far this season, having spent the last three seasons in the Championship during loan spells at Bristol City, Swansea and Aston Villa.
(Image: Darren Walsh)
Lampard is expected to do show similar confidence in James, meaning fans’ favourite Azpilicueta, now 30, may have to find a new club if he wants to play week in, week out.
And a move back to his native Spain could prove a lifeline for the defender.
Azpilicueta started his career at Osasuna and then moved to Marseille before Chelsea snapped him up for a bargain £7million in 2012. He has since become a firm favourite in west London.
(Image: Linnea Rheborg)
However, he has come in for criticism recently as Chelsea’s defence has looked suspect, with Lampard’s side having shipped nine goals in their first four Premier League games.
James, meanwhile, will hope to impress as much as Abraham has once he recovers from injury.
Having given the task of leading Chelsea’s attack this season, London-born striker Abraham netted a brace in the 3-2 win at Norwich last month and then followed that up with another double in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United last weekend.
