Antonio Rudiger has explained the reason behind deciding to leave Chelsea in a The Players’ Tribune post ahead of his final game on Sunday for the Blues.
The Germany international is in line to sign for long-standing suitors Real Madrid with the Spanish champions landing Rudiger’s signature in a four-year-long deal this coming summer.
Chelsea had been pushing for the central defender to agree upon renewed terms at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season when Rudiger is out of contract and had been linked with a move away from the English capital.
The sanctions imposed on the then embattled Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in March added to the uncertainty surrounding Rudiger’s future in the Blues shirt with the club not allowed to table new deals for their existing players.
In his recent post, Rudiger admitted that he was left in the dark about his future at the Bridge for five months and the turn of events were a major reason behind his decision to call it quits and sign for Real Madrid.
“I leave this club with a heavy heart. It has meant everything to me. Even this season, with all the complications, has been enjoyable. Football is football. We are blessed to play a game for a living that we would play for free anyway.
“In fact, when the financial restrictions were being rumored, we were all laughing about having to take a bus or a smaller plane or whatever to the matches. I mean, a small plane?
“Oh no!!! What am I going to do?
“Come on. Do you know where I come from? A small plane is still a privilege. Honestly, a bus to Manchester sounds kind of cool. Me and the boys would have made it fun, for sure.
“Unfortunately, my contract negotiations had already started to get difficult last fall. Business is business, but when you don’t hear any news from the club from August to January, the situation becomes complicated.
“After the first offer, there was a long gap of just nothing. We’re not robots, you know? You cannot wait for months with so much uncertainty about your future.
“Obviously, no one saw the sanctions coming, but in the end, other big clubs were showing interest, and I had to make a decision. I will leave it at that, because business aside, I have nothing bad to say about this club.
“Chelsea will always be in my heart. London will always be my home. I came here alone, and now I have a wife and two beautiful kids. I also have a new brother for life named Kova.
“I have an FA Cup, a Europa League and a Champions League medal. And of course, I have hundreds of memories that will stay with me forever.”
