Three European super-clubs interested 27-year-old Chelsea star

AC Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Antonio Rudiger

A report by ESPN citing Sempre Milan (h/t football.london) has stated that Serie A clubs AC Milan, Juventus, as well as La Liga giants Barcelona, are all keen on signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.

Antonio Rudiger has been reduced to a benchwarmer at Chelsea this season as Frank Lampard continues to prefer Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva in the heart of his team’s defence.

Rudiger was in the first-team picture during the second half of last season, but has gone down the pecking order ever since Chelsea signed Thiago Silva from PSG on a free transfer in the summer.

The report states that Antonio Rudiger could push for a move in the January transfer window due to lack of playing time.

Antonio Rudiger could leave Chelsea in January.
Antonio Rudiger could leave Chelsea in January.

Frank Lampard had earlier admitted that he would struggle to provide game time to all 5 senior centre-backs at the club.

The German defender has seen action in the UEFA Champions League this season as he has featured in 4 matches.

However, playing time has been few and far between in the Premier League as he has played in only one league game this season.

Rudiger’s quality is also not under doubt. The Blues have kept 4 clean sheets in the 5 games he has featured in this season, and have won on all 5 occasions.

Antonio Rudiger has started just one league game this season.
Antonio Rudiger has started just one league game this season.

The club already has Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma as first-choice centre-backs, as well as Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori fighting for minutes.

In such a situation, a move away from Stamford Bridge for Rudiger in January would not be surprising.

The upcoming UEFA European Championship 2020 could also influence any decision that he takes.