Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has explained why he rejected the chance to join Barcelona last summer.

Azpilicueta believes staying in England was the right decision for him, despite attracting interest from back in his native Spain, with the Chelsea captain happy to be closing in on 500 appearances for the Blues.

Azpilicueta told Cadena Ser: “At Chelsea, if I had played less than 30 games and then I was already a free agent. It had never happened to me in my life. The new owners arrived and they showed me the desire to stay for me.”

The veteran full-back added on snubbing interest from Camp Nou: “London is my home and my children speak better English than Spanish. When I made the decision, I think Xavi understood it. If things are clear, they are understood.”

Azpilicueta has been with Chelsea since 2012, claiming two Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, two Europa League triumphs and a Club World Cup success during his time with the Blues.