Antonio Rudiger’s Chelsea career has been revived since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, but the question is will he sign a new contract to stay at Stamford Bridge? In addition, Antonio Rudiger has been curious and piqued by speculated interest from Bayern Munich and the defender is solely focused on performing well for Chelsea.
The centre-back has grown in importance for the Blues, since Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, with only Cesar Azpilicueta (2,054) playing more Premier League minutes under the German coach. Towards the end of Frank Lampard’s reign Rudiger had struggled for minutes, but now he has best tackle success percentage of any Chelsea player with 71.88 per cent.
The 28-year-old’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge, though, is unknown. He is out of contract at the end of the season, prompting speculation of a free transfer elsewhere. Bayern Munich has been mentioned in connection with Rudiger, who spoke about the rumours while on international duty with Germany.
He told the media on Tuesday, Goal.com claim the football news, “It honours you, but I don’t allow myself to be distracted too much. I have certain obligations to my club and that is to perform. But it also shows that you have done a lot right in the past months and years. I have to prove myself in every game and not let myself be distracted by rumours.
“Of course, I’m honoured by [Bayern’s interest] and it proves that I’ve been doing things right,” said Rudiger at a press conference. “I feel good at Chelsea where I am now, so that suits me.”
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann has described Rudiger as a “decisive” player and praised him for his “aggressiveness”. The club’s director Hasan Salihamidzic has played down any suggestion of his impending arrival at Allianz Arena. “It’s not okay when we talk about players who are with other clubs,” Salihamidzic told DAZN last month.
“We are really well filled in the centre-back position. We have strengthened ourselves very well and brought in a top player in Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez is here, Tanguy Nianzou is there, Benjamin Pavard can also play inside – we really are very, very well staffed.”
