Thomas Tuchel says Cesar Azpilicueta remains ‘super important’ to his Chelsea plans despite his captain’s contract coming to an end.

Azpilicueta has been at Stamford Bridge since 2012 but he has been linked with a move to Barcelona having failed to agree an extension on his Blues deal, which expires in the summer.

The Spaniard, 32, last week led Chelsea to glory in the Club World Cup, meaning he has now won every trophy available with the club.

Blues boss Tuchel said: ‘The plans, most of them are not longer than 10 or 14 days in football and for me as a manager.

‘But he’s super important. He was super important from day one. We had a good connection from the first day, which you always look for as a coach.

‘He gets better with every game he plays. He’s an example of a leader who leads by example, which is always super nice to have.

‘Now he collects so many trophies and has had an incredible career at one club, which is outstanding.

‘He embodies everything that Chelsea stands for – being relentless, being humble, but being a warrior at the same time.

‘I don’t think there are people who don’t wish the very best for him and don’t like that he has all these trophies. He deserves it.’

Tuchel has also praised goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who kept a cleansheet in Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final over Al-Hilal and stood in for Edouard Mendy while the Senegal stopper was at the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Tuchel insists Mendy will remain his No 1.

‘Kepa is so good in training and in the games, that actually he could be the No1, yes,’ added the German.

‘He is not because we have Mendy and Edou is our No 1. There’s no need to change.

‘But it’s full credit to Kepa. He’s an outstanding character, a fantastic team player.

‘He deserves the very best and he’s a big part of our group.’