Tuchel undecided over futures of three players at Chelsea
According to ESPN, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is yet to decide whether Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori would be a part of his squad for next season.
Rudiger found himself gathering dust for the majority of the first half of the campaign after being frozen out of the mix by former manager Frank Lampard. The German suffered a significant fall from grace following the arrival of Thiago Silva on a free transfer this past summer.
However, Lampard reinstated the 27-year-old in the starting XI towards the end of his regime. Rudiger started the club’s league fixtures against Aston Villa, Fulham and Leicester City between the end of December and mid-January, usurping Kurt Zouma in the pecking order all of a sudden.
The German international has cut a rejuvenated figure under new manager Tuchel. Rudiger has started and played the full 90 minutes in each of the Tuchel’s first four games in charge, helping the side to three wins and three clean sheets.
Christensen has also returned to the mix under Tuchel, having spent most of his time on the fringes earlier in the campaign. The Dane has benefitted from the muscle injury to Thiago Silva and helped the Blues to a 1-0 win over Tottenham after coming on as a substitute for the Brazilian.
The 24-year-old retained his place in the manager’s new-look 3-4-2-1 system and put in yet another solid shift to guide Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
Christensen has struggled to produce his best in a back-four but has looked a lot more comfortable in back-three systems utilised by Antonio Conte and Tuchel.
Both Rudiger and Christensen are set to enter the final 12 months of their respective contracts at the end of the season. The centre-back duo has had their fair share of highs and lows in recent times.
It remains to be seen what plan Tuchel has in store for them. The Blues could, however, be forced to cash in if neither looks inclined to commit their future.
Tuchel will also have a big decision to make as far as Fikayo Tomori is concerned. The academy graduate has enjoyed a bright start to life at AC Milan after departing Stamford Bridge on loan. Milan have the option to sign him permanently for £25million in the summer.
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- Chelsea to ask £40m from Aston Villa for Ross Barkley permanent transfer
- Rio Ferdinand surprised Reece James is not a regular feature for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea
- Michael Ballack backs Timo Werner to rediscover his goalscoring touch at Chelsea
Chelsea are being linked with a plethora of centre-backs, including Niklas Sule, Ibrahima Konate, David Alaba, Raphael Varane and Dayot Upamecano. Regardless of whether Thiago Silva signs an extension, parting ways with any of the three players in question would free up room for an overhaul at the back.
