Chelsea to start contract talks with key defensive star ahead of the Euros

Chelsea to start contract talks with Antonio Rudiger

According to Daily Mail, Chelsea want to start contract talks with Antonio Rudiger ahead of Euro 2020. There has been way too much uncertainty regarding the German’s future as he would be entering the final year of his contract next season.

Antonio Rudiger had slipped to the fringes under Frank Lampard. However, as soon as Thomas Tuchel took over, he became one of the first names on the team sheet. He has started 8 out of 12 games under Tuchel, keeping clean sheets in each of them.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: (L – R) Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea prepare for a corner kick during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Even after his resurgence this season, there remain question marks over his future. The Blues could lose the former Roma man for nothing next season if a new deal is not agreed soon. Chelsea wanted to extend his deal last summer as talks of sending him out on loan was on the agenda.

However, he stayed back and plans for the new deal was pushed back. Now, it has been said that plans were there to extend his contract but only after the European Championships in the summer. However, the club are likely to prepone those plans.

Atletico Madrid’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) and Chelsea’s German defender Antonio Rudiger argue during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea at the Arena Nationala stadium in Bucharest on February 23, 2021. (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)

More Chelsea News

Given how he has become a vital part of Tuchel’s new-look side, it is the correct decision to bring forward contract talks. Chelsea would want to avoid any sort of speculation linking Rudiger to another club.

However, there is still no time frame set for the renewal and that has already put clubs on alert for his signature.