Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has spoken of his initial fear of club captain John Terry as he continues to settle in at Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish star made a slow start to life in English football, not making his first Premier League until October.

Since, Azpilicueta has largely made his favoured right-back position his own, and despite a difficult start, is delighted with the progression he's making with Chelsea under fellow countryman Rafa Benitez.

Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta has settled in impressively at Chelsea.

"I am playing regularly, which is what every footballer wants, and I am growing as a player," the Chelsea summer signing told told El Pais.

"At my club, an organised team is very important, and that I participate and support in attack. I am comfortable doing that. [Benitez and I] have a good relationship, he asks for different things than other coaches. Each one has their own system and way of playing."

While Azpilicueta has played most of the campaign alongside Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz and Gary Cahill, captain Terry's injury problems have restricted his availability for Chelsea, and the 23 year old admits to being intimidated by the former England captain during his early weeks at Stamford Bridge.

"Terry is a bit scary at first," he said. "His temper on the field can be frightening, but he is a very good guy. He helps the new players a lot and on the field he gives me advice, corrects me. He is a leader. I respect him a lot. With David Luiz there are more jokes, he is more fun.

"[In the Premier League] they come at you from everywhere," he added. "The players are very strong, they go to war. But I like it. It is really intense. Very demanding, I like that.

"Nobody could say Azpilicueta, it is too difficult," he said. "They called me Dave as they say I look like someone from a TV series - I do not know which. And Dave has stuck."

Azpilicueta is in the Spain squad that will face Uruguay in the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar this week, as the former Marseille full-back searches for his first full international cap under Vicente del Bosque.