César Azpilicueta (28-8-1989) has earned his place at Chelsea and has dreams of conquering the final of the Europa League.

How did the opportunity of signing for Chelsea arise?
"At the beginning of summer there was an initial contact made and as soon as I found out Chelsea’s interest I spoke with Olympique Marseille. I had a contract, we looked at the situation and although they were pleased with me I knew I could go one step further, you could not turn down the opportunity. There was good harmony between the clubs so the transfer was completed".

Did you expect to go straight into the eleven starters?
"I knew coming to the champions of Europe that the competition was going to be great, but I had the confidence in my ability to help the team. In the first two months I played just two matches, but trained hard from day one waiting for the opportunity. And in the end it came".

When did you realise that you could play an important role in the team?
"When you arrive at a new club you always have doubts if you will fit in. From the first day I found myself very much at home. The game against Liverpool was the first big game for me and I started to feel that the manager had confidence in me and my performance".

Did you talk a lot with Di Matteo?
"Yes, he was very happy with my work but I understand that a coach has to make decisions and maybe at that time I wasn't among the best to play. But I always felt that he trusted me and eventually with the passage of time he saw that I was ready".

How is the transition that is taking place at Chelsea?
"In a locker room you always find players with different roles, ones who have been there for long, others who are just starting out and some young people with experience. We are in a period of transition because of this mix of new players and existing ones at the club and also because the style of play is also changing. But in the end the group you are part of is a unit and the important thing is that both experienced players and young players have the same mentality".

To be in the elite there has to exist a point of competitiveness between the experienced players and the young ones, hasn’t it?
"On all the teams it is the same. We know that we are 25. We respect each other but you always want to play. As players we try to gain a place in the eleven starters with respect to others. That is a basic thing in football. A team is not just 11 players but 25. The season is long and in the end all of us have our chance to play".

Then, it is normal to be the best friend of the person who is vying with you for your place in the starting team?
"I have always had a good relationship with all my team mates and always tried to be at my best to be competitive and play. A team needs that competitiveness to be stronger, if you are playing you have to fight to keep your position and if you are not then you have to work hard to push your team mates. That is the nature of football".

Who has given you the best advice at Chelsea?
"No one in particular. When I arrived I got enough help to prepare myself for the Premier League. I remember that I went through many videos with Di Matteo’s assistant and that helped me to improve. Those things make you better".

What has Rafa Benítez given to Chelsea?
"Rafa has given us tactical rigour. We have worked on a lot since he arrived. We were conceding too many goals and the team wasn't all that solid. From that basis, we have been trying to combine moves and play as a team both in attack and in defence. That is the most important thing".

How do the fans get on with the coach?
"Since the moment he arrived you could feel the fact that he had coached Liverpool in the past and Chelsea fans showed their discomfort because of this. But Rafa since he arrived has given everything for Chelsea. It is not easy but he always gives the maximum, he is a great professional and we all want -the club, the fans and the manager- is to achieve the objectives set. When we win everybody is happy and that is the most important thing".

Which are those objectives now?
"When the season began we had different targets but right now we are fighting for a place in the top four and also we will try to win the Europa League".