Cesar Azpilicueta claims he’s never had “any issues” with Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rudiger after rumours of a bust-up.
A report in Daily Telegraph said that Rudiger and Azpilicueta clashed ‘on more than one occasion’ as tensions reached boiling point before Lampard left Stamford Bridge.
It was understood that Rudidger was one of three players who ’caused issues’ for Lampard and that Azpilicueta ‘attempted to ease tensions’.
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Tammy Abraham came out on social media to deny Rudiger has been a disruptive influence in the Chelsea dressing room, he said: “Hearing some mad stuff about @ToniRuediger on social media today. Compete nonsense. Toni is a big bro to all of us.”
And now Azpilicueta has echoed those sentiments and says he has never fallen out with his Stamford Bridge team-mate.
Chelsea captain Azpilicueta said: “Everything is fine and I can say that didn’t happen. We didn’t have any issues and we don’t have. We always work together.
“As other players, we have sometimes our discussions, normal in football. When results are not going well, everybody has more tension around but nothing further than this.
“Normal footballers like normal workers in their offices or with other jobs with pressure who have to deliver and nothing further than this. There is not an issue, we are so committed.”
On the blame being put on the players, Azpilicueta added: “We saw that [in the past] and sometimes when a manager leaves, people can blame some players but we are players, we are humans and we always want to do the best for the club, for the manager.
“That’s our job, that’s our passion and obviously we are not happy when results are not going well and sometimes, yes, we have seen the reaction from the fans but there is no issue. We are all together working.
“Of course, of course, 100 per cent [do not abuse Rudiger]. You see now social media, lots of abuse, you know we doing campaigns about racism, all of this, and you know it’s sad when you see people abusing.
“The fans I ask for unity, together, difficult times. We want the best for the team and, hopefully, this negativity we can leave it behind and we go together.
“We miss the fans, so we would like to be together fighting in these tough moments like we have always done. We always overcome the difficulties.”