Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger speaks out on move to Italy amid transfer links
Speaking in an interview published on the Chelsea website (h/t football.london), Antonio Rudiger claimed that his transfer to Italy was the best step of his footballing career.
The German centre-back is linked with a Chelsea exit and a report by The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t football.london] claimed that he is considering leaving as a free agent next summer.
Rudiger is in the last year of his Blues contract that expires in the summer of 2022. He joined the club from AS Roman in 2017 and has recently found form playing in a back-three under Thomas Tuchel.
But according to him, moving from VfB Stuttgart to AS Roma in 2015 was the best step in his career. Rudiger went on to have two seasons at the Serie A side until his move to the Blues in 2017.
Rudiger reminisces AS Roma move
“I looked for a new challenge [after Stuttgart] that can not only progress me as a footballer but also as a human. So I chose Italy because I can learn a lot of defensive work and everything and because you’re 23, you’re not complete. You have to learn more even as a man. That was if I can say the best step in my career.”
Rudiger also highlighted the difference between fans in England and Italy, claiming that fans here were more supportive in defeats as compared to the fans in Italy.
“Here in England what impressed me the most when we lost against City 6-0 away. In Italy, people would go crazy. But here, they were still standing there supporting.”
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Rudiger has certainly done well for himself, having made 149 appearances for Chelsea and lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy. He is also with the German team at the Euros, where he has the chance to add an international trophy to his cabinet.