Chelsea’s star central defender Antonio Rudiger has insisted that he remains focused on delivering his best for the Blues despite rampant talk of his long-term future at Stamford Bridge being uncertain beyond the summer.
Rudiger is yet to agree upon extended terms with the west Londoners and speculation is that the Germany international may seek an exit in the summer as Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in signing him on a cut-price deal.
With Thomas Tuchel taking over from Frank Lampard earlier this year, Rudiger’s recall into the Chelsea first-team plans has paid off well for the club in what has been a spectacular turnaround since Tuchel’s hiring.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the UEFA Champions League meeting against Atletico Madrid, Rudiger asserted that the contract standoff has not affected his focus towards playing well for Chelsea, whom the player described as his ‘number one priority.
“Everyone here at the club knows how much I like this club. It’s down to the people who make these decisions,” said Rudiger as quoted by Chelsea’s official website.
“At the moment it’s for me to concentrate on important matches and our targets. The rest I am sure we will resolve.
“Even at the beginning of the season when things didn’t go my way, I was always calm like I am now. I cannot give myself a contract, so I have to wait for what happens.
“Whatever happens, I love it here at Chelsea and Chelsea will always be my priority, my number one.”
After being frozen out of the first-team ranks when Frank Lampard was in charge, Rudiger has formed a formidable centre-back pairing with Andres Christensen following Thomas Tuchel taking over the managerial reigns.
