Cesar Azpilicueta ends remarkable Chelsea streak as he is benched for the first time in 74 Premier League games against Swansea
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CESAR AZPILICUETA could have been forgiven for taking a double-glance at the Chelsea team-sheet on Wednesday.
The Blues, who is affectionately known as Dave, has become a colossus for the Stamford Bridge side since his arrival in 2012.
He has been one of the go to guys for Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho and current boss Antonio Conte during his time in West London.
So much so that he played every single minute under the Italian as Chelsea romped to the Premier League title last season.
Even more impressive is the fact that he has played 90 minutes in the last 74 top-flight matches for the club.
But the 28-year-old was in for a shock ahead of the clash against Swansea.
No doubt to the Spanish defender's amazement, he found himself named on the bench by Conte.
He was not the only big name to be left out, with Eden Hazard also next to him with their fellow subs.
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But after such a staggering run, few would begrudge Azpilicueta for feeling a little peculiar watching the action from the sidelines for the first time since December 2015.
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Dave's remarkable run
- Last Premier League game he didn't start was against Bournemouth on December 5, 2015
- He's played 6,660 consecutive Premier League minutes since then
- That is 74 consecutive matches
- He played every minute under Antonio Conte last season as Chelsea won the Premier League title
His spell in West London has been hugely successful.
Azpilicueta has helped the club to two Prem titles and the EFL Cup during his time there, as well as the Europa League back in 2013.
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