Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel provided an encouraging update on the contract front for the club’s defensive mainstay Antonio Rudiger whose terms expire in the summer.
The Germany international’s future at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season hangs in the balance with his wage demands proving difficult for the Chelsea board to agree upon.
Following his side lifting the FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-1 win over Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, Tuchel voiced hope on Rudiger staying put in the English capital with the Blues and confirmed that the centre-back was engaged 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.”
According to reports from football.london, Tuchel’s remarks suggest that Chelsea are pushing for the 28-year-old Rudiger to pen extended terms and rebuff interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Rudiger, like his centre-back partners Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta, are out of contract at Chelsea come the summer and remain in line to sign extensions.
