PSG looking to take advantage ownership uncertainty at Chelsea to land Antonio Rudiger
According to Sky Sports (h/t Football London), German defender Antonio Rudiger has put his contract talks with Chelsea on hold with the uncertainty surrounding the club and also because of the fact that PSG are interested in signing him.
Chelsea have not given up hope of retaining the German beyond the end of the current season and for a while, it seemed as if the Blues had managed to convince him to pen down a new deal. However, in the wake of Roman Abramovich announcing that the club is up for sale, there is a lot of confusion engulfing the London club.
This has led to Antonio Rudiger reconsidering his future at Chelsea, especially with Real Madrid and PSG waiting in the wings with a better offer. It is still unclear as to who are going to be the new owners at Stamford Bridge, and if their ideologies are different from the ones of Abramovich, the Blues could be in for a tough transition period.
. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Considering all these factors, it is easy to see why Rudiger wants to explore other options before committing his future to Chelsea. The German defender has been a rock at the back for Chelsea, almost an indisputable starter in Tuchel’s back three and has played a key role in making Chelsea the second-best defensive unit in England this season.
The 29-year-old centre-back is extremely physical, loves a tackle, has great passing ability, can drive forward with the ball at his feet and can also unleash a screamer of a shot from time to time. Having all the abilities expected of a centre-back and just entering what is generally considered the prime years of a defender’s career, Rudiger is hot property if he does not stay at Chelsea, anyone who gets him will be getting a deal and a half.
Defensive dilemma for the Blues?
Having seemingly already lost Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, and with Azpilicueta also said to be leaving, and with all the confusion surrounding Chelsea’s future, this Rudiger development is the last thing that the London club wanted.
Rudiger has been a key cog in Thomas Tuchel’s system and is probably the most important player among the three names mentioned, at least based on current form. Chelsea would have been hoping to tie the 29-year-old to a long-term contract, but the decision is no longer in their hands.
The German international is legally free to negotiate with other clubs and if he were to make the decision to leave, there is nothing that Chelsea can do. As things stand, the new owners coming into Chelsea may have to do a complete revamp of the Chelsea defence in the summer, with Thiago Silva and Trevor Chalobah the only certainties to stay at Chelsea beyond this summer, as of now.
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The ball is firmly in Antonio Rudiger’s court. Whether he decides to stay on at Stamford Bridge or moves out in search of new pastures is still a suspense. Until Chelsea find a new owner, it looks as if the Rudiger saga will continue to haunt us.