Chelsea Midfielder Declares He Wants to Replace Cesar Azpilicueta as The Club's Captain

• Chelsea could be left without a captain should Cesar Azpilicueta complete a move to Barcelona this summer
• Azpilicueta has widely been linked with a switch to Camp Nou, with the Spaniard said to be desperate for a new challenge
• Mason Mount has now declared his readiness to succeed the veteran defender as the Blues' next captain
• The Chelsea academy graduate recently wore the armband after Azpilicueta picked an injury during a pre-season friendly

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has said ready to become the club's captain should Cesar Azpilicueta depart the club this summer.

Azpilicueta is said to be desperate to link up with Xavi's Barcelona during the ongoing transfer window in a move that could see him bring his illustrious career with the Blues to an end.

According to The Mirror, Azpilicueta has spent just under a decade at Stamford Bridge but now harbours a desire for a new challenge in the La Liga.

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His imminent exit is expected to plunge Thomas Tuchel into a mini-crisis as he will be forced to find Chelsea's next captain.

Mason Mount declares interest in wearing Chelsea's armband

However, it now appears Tuchel will not be short of options in replacing Azpilicueta after Mount declared interest in becoming the club's next skipper.

According to the Englishman, he is more than willing to step up as Blues captain should the opportunity arise.

"Yes, I am still young and I am still learning but whenever the opportunity comes to step up I want to take it," Mount explained.

Mount's interest comes barely days after Tuchel handed him the armband in a pre-season friendly after Azpilicueta sustained an injury.

"Obviously, the gaffer trusted me with captaining the side in the second half and I take that responsibility," the England international added.

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Tuchel says Chelsea not at the level as Man City, Liverpool

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported Thomas Tuchel was the first to admit his Chelsea side should not be in the conversation with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Blues were thrashed 4-0 by a resurgent Arsenal in a preseason game in Orlando.

Speaking after the game, Tuchel admitted he was disappointed but also refused to fully blame his side as he subtly suggested Arsenal were more settled in terms of transfer sagas.