Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher think so.

"For technical defending, not making a mistake, not being in the wrong position, not getting caught out… I don’t see [Azpilicueta] making a mistake. And I have to say the Chelsea defenders aren’t far behind him; Gary Cahill, John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic. But Azpilicueta, when I watch him, he’s as near to perfect as possible when it comes to defending; he’s immaculate.-Gary Neville. Source: Sky Sports.

I totally agree. I think those Chelsea players, all of them, they defend properly. We see that in terms of the number of goals they’ve conceded, the clean sheets they keep. Azpilicueta is an out-and-out defender. You very rarely see anybody get the better of him. He’d be my number one [in the league].-Jamie Carragher."

We are very fortunate to have him alongside F. Luis and Ivanovic. They are all amazing!

No. just no. No offence but stop overhyping this guy so much Vendetta. you never mention Ivanovic and Felipe Luis who are at least as amazing players and don't really get much credit.

Overhyping? F*ck no! Azpilicueta is really one of the best fullbacks in Europe right now, but sadly he's not getting the recognition and praise he deserves - you would be an example of someone who does that. I always mention Ivanovic whenever he does good in a match (which he usually does), but can you guess why I find it difficult to bring up Felipe Luis? Because Azpilicueta pushes him out of the squad, and he's not even a natural LB like Luis! And before him, he pushed Ashley Cole out of his spot!

That's enough obvious evidence to show you why EVERY Chelsea fan thinks so highly of him, even more than our own legend Terry currently. And now the two best pundits in England agree with us that he really is amazing and not overhyped.

He is a great player, but not the best fullback in the world. You are overhyping him a lot, just how Hazard is sometimes overhyped (he is nowhere near Messi/Ronaldo). Azpilicueta is one of the best FB's in the league, best in the world is Philipp Lahm for most people.

He is not even the best defender in Chelsea. Ivanovic,Cahil,Azpi. In this order.

Im pretty sure Courtois is No.1, Azpilicueta is No.28. Yes, he is good, one of the best, but come on, the best in the world? Plus, since when has Gary Neville been a reliable source?

Ashley Cole was replaced by Azpilicueta for his lack of form. You make it sound like Cole in his prime is being replaced by Cesar. It wasn't like that. Cole was some 33 years old already, and it doesn't take a person with half a brain to figure out that giving time to the improving 24 year old is better than the 33 year old who will only get worse.

Sorry if my title was too general, my mistake, but seriously guys? I'm not so bias that I would say he's the best fullback in the world. I meant in the league (just like the quotes say btw).

@mladen: Whatever floats your boat man, but I don't think a Utd fan will know more about Chelsea's defense than a Chelsea fan.

@manchesterutl: It's well known that Neville is one of the few pundits in England that actually knows what he's talking about, especially when it comes to analyzing the defense.

@Dynastian: That's a reasonable argument, but you can't help but wonder how Azpilicueta slotted perfectly on the left with no complacency or inconsistencies when all his life he had been playing RB. He did amazing for what we all thought was a challenge he'd fail at. Also, while you can use Cole's age as a valid argument, there is no valid argument to why Luis - a guy I recall you once called arguably the best LB in Europe last season (even I thought that) - is not able to beat Azpi to the starting spot. Tells you a lot about how underrated he is.

Hazard isnt overhyped, he is very good player, Top 5 in 1 vs 1 in the world for sure.

To me Ivanovic is powerhouse . Azpi one of the best left backs in the world , but if I was to choose one of the best full backs in the world and best in Chelsea then it will be Ivanovic . He has perfect balance between attacking and defending . And He can shift to left and center and be comfortable .

He has incredible amount of resilience and his reading of the game is world class .

The issue with Ivanovic is that he has shown moments of f*ck-ups that sometimes changes the result of the game. I like his balance in attack and defense but in terms of defending, Azpi (like Neville said) is near perfect. He's also good at backing Hazard up.

@tiki: Totally agree. In fact, I think Hazard has completed the most 1 on 1 dribbles in Europe so far.

Here's the video btw:

If Neville says it then its probably true. He should be a starter for Spain for sure.
But why doesnt Mou play him in CL? He is ruining my score in fantasy...

lol. He is under-rated, I'll give you that. But keep in mind that Neville and Carragher were both defenders as well. Of course that would be their viewpoint. No way is Azpilicueta the no.1 in England in anything. He is to Chelsea what John O'Shea was to United in the sense that he is versatile and solid.

@Vendetta

I don't know why Mourinho chooses Azpilicueta over Filipe Luis, but as far as I'm concerned Luis has been extremely reliable when called upon in the Champions League matches.

@Dynastian: Mourinho starts players based on their performances in matches and their effort in training. He has no favorites and will sacrifice fan-favorites if that's what he feels is the right thing to do (Casillas/Mata). So the fact that Azpi starts way more than Luis goes to show you that "arguably the best LB in Europe" is not as good as Cesar Azpilicueta in his eyes, and if you really watch Chelsea week-in-week-out instead of some stats or results, you will agree that Mourinho's choice payed off.

@TheGame: Exactly. It's the fact that Neville and Carragher were defenders in the EPL (and excellent ones in their prime as well) that their viewpoint should be taken seriously. And please, don't say Azpi is our O'Shea. Azpi is five times the player O'Shea was at United.

Listen, guys, your opinion is yours alone and there's no point trying to change it because it seems that is unlikely to happen. But all I ask is to look at this logically. We have two EPL defensive legends and Jose Mourinho who believe Azpilicueta is the number one defender in the EPL. To add to that, I watch Chelsea every week - not look at results and stats like some might do. I can also see how great he really is. He constantly supports the left flank when we attack and it's also very rare to see someone get the best of him.

In the end, everyone will think differently about where Azpi stands in the rankings as an EPL defender, but if I'm given the opinions of some users and stats against the opinions of Jose Mourinho and Neville/Carragher I know which opinion I'll believe more.

@Marcus, Ah the good old Gallagher brothers. Definition of a dysfunctional band (Oasis). Here is another quote from Liam:

@V, that is a valid point. With regard to the comparison I made with John O'Shea, I wasn't comparing them as players with each other. I was basically saying they bring similar qualities (varying degrees of course) to both teams. IMO I think Coleman, Debuchy, and Ivanovic are all better fullbacks than him in the PL anyways.