Azpilicueta was a bargain for Chelsea, says Conte

Cesar Azpilicueta was signed by Chelsea for a fee of only £7 million from Marseille in 2012 and he has maintained a regular place in the side under five different managers.

The 27-year-old was brought to the club by when Roberto Di Matteo was manager and has now signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract which ends in 2020.

 Antonio Conte is delighted to tie down the Spaniard after he adapted well to a new central role in his back line and thinks that Azpilicueta is worth much more than the £7 million they initially paid. 

"I'm pleased, and I'm pleased for him," Conte said at a news conference in Cobham Training Centre. "He's impressed me a lot with his commitment, his work-rate, his ability to play also in different roles.

"He's a good professional and I'm pleased for him, and above all the club and the fans. A really good player has signed. It was a good affair [piece of business] for us, for Chelsea.

"Azpilicueta is a really good player. Now, I think, his valuation is very high. He's an important player who can play in different roles. It was a good affair for the club".