Chelsea’s lively full-back needs to leave to make it to Spain's World Cup squad

Cesar Azpilicueta

Vicente Del Bosque has the most enviable job in football. The Spain manager gets to choose from a talent pool that has probably never been matched in terms of quality. After every squad announcement, some of the names that get left out is unbelievable. This time round, the casualties include Roberto Soldado, Fernando Torres and David De Gea whilst injured quartet Xabi Alonso, Jordi Alba, Santi Cazorla and Thiago Alcantara are waiting in the wings too. One player that has not featured for his country this season is Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

Azpilicueta was almost ever-present under former Blues boss Rafa Benitez last season but Jose Mourinho has used him extremely sparingly, preferring to field Branislav Ivanovic, who was predominantly used at centre half last term.

The Spanish right-back has made just two substitute appearances in the league this season and that will have to change if he is to make the Spanish World Cup squad.

Alvaro Arbeloa and Juanfran are currently ahead of him in the pecking order and the Spanish’s abundance of talent in the right-back area does not stop there with players such as Dani Carvajal and Martin Montoya also vying for selection.

It seems it will be very difficult for the man Chelsea fans refer to as ‘Dave’ to make it to the World Cup with Mourinho obviously preferring the more physical defender. Ivanovic can offer much more at set pieces and is definitely no slouch going forwards. This is proved by the fact the Serbian has won 31 headers in just seven appearances which is more than Azpilicueta (24) won in the whole of last season. Ivanovic has also won 94% of his tackles.

Branislav Ivanovic Duels Won

A positive for Azpilicueta is that he is better than Ivanovic technically, as you would expect from a Spaniard. He offers much more reliability on the ball when in an advanced areas of the pitch. Ivanovic has completed just 77% of his passes this season, whereas Azpilicueta completed 82% of his passes last season.

In the big derby match against Tottenham, Ivanovic has a shocker on the ball, completing just 53% of his passes, including just five completed passes in the Spurs half.

Branislav Ivanovic Passes v Spurs (53% Pass Accuracy)

Azpilicueta definitely offers more going forward, creating 24 chances last season, but the Serb’s advantage defensively means that the cautious Mourinho prefers him. If the Spaniard gets a start in the league, he will need to grab that opportunity with both hands because it looks like his manager is set on Ivanovic being his first-choice.

With the World Cup in mind, perhaps a loan deal away from Stamford Bridge would be best for him in January. A certain French club called Paris Saint-Germain have been struggling in the right-back slot for some time now; a move to the French capital would be fantastic for all parties.