After penning a deal that keeps him at the club until at least 2024, Azpilicueta will now surpass over a decade of service at Chelsea.

It is welcome news for head coach Thomas Tuchel, who admits the skipper’s contract extension did not come as a surprise.

‘I was not surprised because we were part of the process. We are very happy that our captain stays on board. He embodies what Chelsea stands for, he is humble,’ Tuchel said.

‘He is a legend at the club, and he can lead as example. He can keep on doing what he has done for so many years. It is very good news for us.’

Tuchel was also asked about speculation that the Blues are close to adding to the squad ahead of the weekend’s encounter with Everton, with the addition of Brighton defender Marc Cucurella.

The boss offered an update on our transfer activity at his pre-match press conference at Cobham this morning.

‘It is not done yet,’ Tuchel stated. ‘I do not want to tell you that I know nothing, but the paperwork is in process [for Cucurella]. Hopefully we can get it finished so Marc can be our player.’

The 24-year-old made 35 appearances for Brighton in the Premier League last season, the most of any outfield player in Graham Potter’s squad.

‘He can also play in the back three. He is similar to the profile of Azpilicueta with the left foot, so he gives us many options.

‘He is young, hungry, mobile and very intelligent in several positions in our system. We hope the transfer goes through. If it goes through, there are options for Levi Colwill to find game time elsewhere,’ the Bavarian added.

‘It is hard to judge him in pre-season [Colwill], because he came back but there wasn’t a lot of game time in pre-season because of the little injury he got in training.

'If there is a possibility for him to have a good loan where he can develop and improve, we are open for these solutions.'