Transfer News: Chelsea risk angering Tuchel by letting go of 28-year-old first-team star

Thomas Tuchel informs Chelsea to keep Antonio Rudiger at the club beyond next summer amidst contract issue

According to The Sun (h/t The Express), Thomas Tuchel has informed Chelsea to sort out the contract issue of Antonio Rudiger amidst contact made by four clubs. 

The German international is fast becoming a popular figure in the dressing room and amongst the fans due to his stellar defensive performances. A rock in the back three of the Blues, Rudiger has epitomized Chelsea’s defensive solidity at the back over the last nine months.

Thus, a player of his calibre should be retained as he could provide a base at the back for Thomas Tuchel to go out and win more trophies in the coming seasons. However, the defender has other ideas.

The 28-year-old has less than 10 months on his current deal at Stamford Bridge and is ready to wait over making a decision on his future at the club. In fact, he has apparently already held informal talks with some clubs.

English rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have contacted Rudiger, while Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also said to be in the loop. If Chelsea cannot land an agreement with the former Roma man by the end of 2021, he will be eligible to talk to foreign clubs in January.

If this does actually happen, it will not sit right with Tuchel. The German is building quite a robust squad at the club and wants to compete on all fronts year-in and year-out. 

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This is possible only with a top-class squad and if the London outfit retain their best players, including the manager’s fellow countryman.

With Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, and Andreas Christensen also nearing the end of their contracts, the Stamford Bridge outfit will have to make some big decisions soon regarding the future of their backline.