Thomas Tuchel’s headache ahead of the forthcoming summer continues to be the contract standoff involving his star defensive name in Antonio Rudiger.
The Germany international’s future in the English capital beyond the end of the season remains up in the air with the central defender holding out for a major hike in his wages much to the displeasure of the Chelsea board.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are tipped to be circling around for Rudiger’s signature with the former keeping close tabs on their longstanding target in the market who looks certain to head out the exit door at Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later.
Chelsea, meanwhile, would have to get the hunt underway for a replacement to fill the void that would be left by Rudiger’s imminent departure from the club and leave Tuchel with one influential presence short in his defensive roster.
The 28-year-old Rudiger, who found himself on the fringes when Frank Lampard was in charge at the Bridge, has grown into a much more composed and increasingly important figure at the back for Chelsea who now have a fellow German in Thomas Tuchel at the helm.
What remains to be seen is whether the Chelsea manager’s efforts to add fresh blood to his backline in case of Rudiger’s exit bear fruit with many suggesting that the latter has become one of the most pivotal names on the Chelsea team sheet since Tuchel took over from Lampard in early 2021.
Rudiger has played all but one of Chelsea’s 24 league outings so far this season with two goals to his name and his run of form, barring a couple of patchy displays, remains upbeat to marshall the defensive lineup alongside the veteraned Thiago Silva and another contract rebel in Andreas Christensen.
Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand, speaking to BT Sport, was quick to label Rudiger as the best in his position in England’s top flight besides Manchester City’s recruit from Portugal Ruben Dias.
“Since Tuchel has come I think he’s arguably been the best centre-back.
“I think him and [Ruben] Dias would have been close but the effect he has had on his team has been immense.
“Under Frank [Lampard], it was evident he wasn’t Frank’s cup of tea. He didn’t really like him.
“There were rumours they were trying to put him in the market to be sold.
“In Germany, he’s always been highly thought of.
“But when the manager doesn’t rate you and you can feel that, I don’t care who you are your confidence takes a beating and it’s hard to perform.”
Ferdinand’s issue of high praise for Rudiger, however, would not be backed by statisticians with the latter not putting up the best of numbers against his peers across the Premier League this campaign.
Juventus’ wantaway defender Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde are both top names on the shortlist at the Bridge with the youngsters likely to seek a move away from their current clubs at the end of the season.
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The 23-year-old Kounde, who saw a move to Chelsea fall through in the final stages of the last summer’s window, has established his credentials as a standout performer in the Sevilla backline and would be tipped to emulate his showings in the Premier League with his suitors Chelsea.
