Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel provides latest update on defender Antonio Rudiger’s contract
According to football.london, speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that there were no new updates on the contract renewal situation regarding centre-back Antonio Rudiger.
The defender is in the last six months of his Blues contract, which means that he is free to speak with foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement to depart Stamford Bridge as a free agent in the summer. The German has arguably been Tuchel’s best defender this season.
With Chelsea running the risk of losing the defender for nothing at the end of the season, Tuchel admitted that talks are ongoing at the moment between Rudiger and the club. A perhaps sobering aspect is that there is no new news that could suggest that we are any closer to reaching an agreement.
“The talks and negotiations are ongoing at the moment. There is no news. We talk about the if, if it happens.”
Ever since Tuchel took over the reins at Chelsea, Rudiger has raised his game and has emerged as one of the best players in his position in the league. The German coach’s presence seems to have sparked new life into the defender, who is now one of the untouchables in the Blues’ lineup and is an automatic starter when available.
Rudiger may be enjoying life at Stamford Bridge at the moment, but he had a hard start to life in England following his move from Roma in 2017, struggling to adapt to the physicality and pace of the English game. Despite harsh criticism from fans and pundits alike, the German has turned things around for himself and established himself amongst the league’s best players during this term.
Tuchel is a big admirer of the 28-year-old defender, claiming that he remains an important part of the squad and deserves all the praise coming his way for his performances this season. With us no closer to reaching an agreement, it remains to be seen if Rudiger is on his swansong at Stamford Bridge.
“You know how I was full of praise for him, well deserved. You know how important he is, I said many times. This is the importance that he has and that he deserves at the moment.”
This news will not soothe Chelsea fans, as we have been waiting for an update for months regarding the defender’s contract situation. With each passing day, we risk losing one of our best players for free next summer. It is frustrating to see the club not step up their efforts to get Rudiger to commit his future to Chelsea for the foreseeable future.
It is worrisome to see that there has still not been any breakthrough in talks between the German and the club, after reports that the player was left upset about wages the Blues offered him. We should be looking to reward our best talents instead of playing hardball with their demands, especially when it comes to someone in his prime.
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There currently only seems to be chatter about Rudiger being appreciated by everyone for his displays this season, yet no constructive activity where the player is given his dues for the performances he puts in. It is sure to frustrate the defender, which could be the reason for the ongoing contract negotiations getting nowhere. It may be a catastrophic summer for Chelsea, with other senior defenders also having their futures up in the air due to prolonged contract negotiations.
It may be time for the club to step back and wonder why experienced stars are looking for a move elsewhere, despite the Blues looking the real deal under Tuchel. Hopefully, better sense will prevail and Chelsea will do what they can to ensure their best talents commit their futures to the club.
