“No chance he stays”- Arsenal legend claims this Chelsea star is ‘definitely leaving’ next year

Arsenal legend Paul Merson is sure about the exit of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season

According to Daily Star, Paul Merson has given his honest opinion on the future of Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and he believes that the German defender is closing on an exit from Stamford bridge. 

Antonio Rudiger‘s Chelsea career has become an inspiration in the last year and a half. The German player was a key reason behind the Blues’ Champions League triumph last season, where he bravely denied Phil Foden from point-blank range in the final against Manchester City.

This season, The 28-year-old’s performances have been consistent and reliable. In the 14 Premier League games that the German has featured in, he has helped the team keep a clean sheet in 7 matches. The West Londoners have conceded the joint-lowest number of league goals this season, and the former AS Roma player had an enormous contribution in us achieving such a feat. 

Despite the German international’s on-field performance becoming an example for his teammates, his contract stance has created concern in the Chelsea camp. Despite nearing the end of his contract, the defender is yet to sign a renewal. Every passing day, it has been more and more certain that his future lies elsewhere. 

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson thinks it’s almost guaranteed that the German defender will leave the club at the end of the season. 

“Chelsea are going to miss Antonio Rudiger when he goes because it will take £60-70m to replace him. Rudiger is definitely leaving. If he wanted to sign a new contract, he would have done it by now. There’s no chance he stays now.” 

The West London team would undoubtedly feel the absence of the Ex-Roma centre back if he decided to leave. The 28-year-old is currently one of the best defenders in the league, and it won’t be easy replacing him. 

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With Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta not getting any younger, this would be a real worry for Tuchel and co. We would surely need someone to replace the German defender in the short as well as the long term. But there is still time, and as unlikely as it seems right now, hopefully, we have a positive announcement regarding Rudiger’s contract before the end of December.

As for Merson, he might be making sense here but it’s better he worries about Arsenal. The Gunners and the Blues are in different footballing worlds right now and it’s largely down to the defences of both sides.