Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel gives verdict on Antonio Rudiger transfer talks after Club World Cup victory
According to Football. London, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel lauded Antonio Rudiger for his professionalism amid a contract stand-off with the club.
Rudiger has achieved a lot with Chelsea, the recent one being the Club World Cup title. Even though the whole team was impressive throughout the course of the 120 minutes, the German defender provided a solid base for our backline and largely kept Palmeiras at bay.
Any manager would want to have such a reliable player in their team, and Thomas Tuchel is no different. It is under the ex-PSG boss that Rudiger has hit new heights, excelling in the three-man backline that his manager deploys.
After the game, the German manager lauded his countryman’s performances and in a big boost for the club, confirmed that the player is still in talks with Chelsea over a new deal.
“At the moment, he is a Chelsea player, and he has delivered since day one, which is very impressive. He delivers at a high level, and we have huge respect for him.”
“He is in talks of course. The situation is not new and it doesn’t affect his performance, that is the most important thing for me.”
That answer couldn’t have been more diplomatic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Rudiger has been exceptional throughout the whole saga. Despite our club’s injury troubles, Rudiger has been a constant presence in our backline.
What should be the next step of the Chelsea board?
Instead of letting the whole contract issue get between him and his performances, Rudiger picked up where he left off last season. A UEFA Champions League winner last summer, he is now a Club World Cup champion with the Blues.
Keeping him at the club looks like the smart choice considering the fact that finding a replacement may not be the easiest task in the world. Had the club kept at least one of Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori, things could have been a bit easier.
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But without the English duo, both of whom left in the summer transfer window, we are short of defensive options that can keep playing at the top for a number of years. It is no secret that Chelsea fans would want Rudiger to renew, but nothing is certain in football.
Players come and go, and one day, Rudiger may well be replaced in our backline. But until then, we must make sure that as champions of Europe and now the world, we keep a hold of our best players.
