Neil Warnock doubles down on criticism of Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta

Neil Warnock has admitted his scathing criticism of Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta was clouded by ‘bitterness’ – but the veteran manager still refused to accept he is a ‘top class defender’.

The 73-year-old slated Azpilicueta’s abilities and claimed he was ‘lucky’ to have enjoyed such a long and successful career at Stamford Bridge.

Warnock’s comments came after the Spaniard completed a clean sweep of every major club honour after Chelsea beat Palmeiras to lift the FIFA Club World Cup last Saturday.

Warnock claimed Azpilicueta is ‘(not a) great’ defender’ and is ‘fortunate’ to be at Chelsea

Azpilicueta’s former Blues team-mates John Terry and Cesc Fabregas were among those who hit back at Warnock.

And now Warnock has admitted an incident in March 2019 – when Azpilicueta scored a clearly offside equaliser in a 2-1 Chelsea win that led to Cardiff’s Premier League relegation – skewed his opinion of the defender.

But Warnock would not fully row back on his initial comments and doubled down on his assertion that Azpilicueta wasn’t among the best defensive players.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Warnock said: ‘I think he’s an excellent wing-back, I’m not sure he’s a top class defender.

‘Listen, I don’t forgive him for being offside for that goal at Cardiff, that’s what it is… it’ll be the bitterness underneath.’

Warnock admitted his opinion of Azpilicueta had been clouded by the Spaniard scoring from an offside position against his Cardiff City side in March 2019

Warnock was so incensed the goal was allowed to stand, he stared down the match officials 

Warnock was livid that referee Craig Pawson and his assistants allowed the goal to stand

The then Cardiff manager also ranted at Chelsea defender David Luiz after his side lost

In the 2019 match, Warnock walked out to the centre circle to stare down referee Craig Pawson and his assistants after Azpilicueta’s header from a clearly offside position five minutes from time had been allowed to stand.

The incident happened before the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in the English top-flight.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek then scored a 91st-minute winner for Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea that left Cardiff five points from safety and ultimately bound for the drop.

After the match, Warnock said: ‘The biggest and best league in the world, but probably the worst officials at the minute.’

At the beginning of this week, also speaking on talkSPORT, Warnock played down Azpilicueta’s achievements after the 32-year-old Chelsea captain added the Club World Cup to the Premier League title, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.

Warnock said: ‘I think it goes two ways to be honest. I think Azpilicueta has been a very fortunate lad to be a at a club like Chelsea. I don’t think he is a great defender. 

‘Sometimes in football you need a bit of luck and I think he’s had a bit of luck at the right time and in the right place. That’s what you need in football, you need a bit of luck to be successful.’ 

Terry and Fabregas, who are former Chelsea team-mates of Azpilicueta, came out to protect the defender on social media.

Terry responded to Warnock’s comments by tweeting: ‘Is this a wind up?’ while Fabregas used a series of comical emojis to sum up what he thought about what the 73-year-old said. 

Both Terry and Fabregas took to social media this week to rubbish Warnock’s claims

After adding Club World Cup to his Chelsea trophy haul over the weekend, Azpilicueta said he was ‘proud’ to be the Chelsea captain and that he was happy his side won the Club World Cup as he felt the manager and players deserved it.  

The 32-year-old said: ‘I’m really proud to be the Chelsea captain, leading the club on and off the pitch. 

‘This title feels very good because it’s the first time in our history. The club deserves it, the owner deserves it and I’m proud we achieved it.’   

The Spanish defender, 32, helped lift the Club World Cup trophy with Chelsea last weekend