German international Antonio Rudiger rejects lucrative new Chelsea contract
According to Daily Mail, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has turned down an improved contract that offered him £200,000-per-week in wages to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
The 28-year-old defender has become a dependable asset for the Blues under Thomas Tuchel. He has shown his dominance and resilience in the air and continues to be a formidable leader at the back. Rudiger is a shoo-in for the first team when selected and one of the best defenders in the league.
Tuchel regards Rudiger highly and with his contract expiring in the summer, the Blues risk losing a reliable player on a free transfer. It is understood that the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have shown their interest in luring the player.
The German international has played 180 matches for Chelsea across all competitions to date during which he has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for the club. His dominance in the air and technical ability with the ball at his feet make him a complete modern-day centre-back.
Antonio Rudiger and why is it tricky for Chelsea?
The 28-year-old German defender has been an integral part of Tuchel’s plans. He has put in some commendable performances on the field despite all the speculation linking him with a move away. The former AS Roma player brings an assured presence in the backline and his experience at the elite level is something that Chelsea benefits immensely from.
The German international currently earns £100,000-per-week at Chelsea. The new offer could be seen as a big upgrade to his existing wages but the Blues ace appears to have other ideas. A solid defensive base has been the foundation of Tuchel’s success at Stamford Bridge and Rudiger has played an important part in that.
Rudiger also played a pivotal role for the Blues last year which saw them lift the UEFA Champions League as well as the UEFA Super Cup. The renewed offer shows that the club is willing to make positive efforts to secure the long-term services of the player but only time will tell if Rudiger will still be a Chelsea player at the end of the coming summer transfer window.
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Thomas Tuchel has settled well in the club since arriving at Stamford Bridge. He has been able to cultivate a fluid attacking style of football built on the foundations offered by a solid defence. Ironically that key strength is now in jeopardy with not just Rudiger but Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta also in the final months of their contract.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager would be hoping to take the club to the next level. It would be a much more attainable task if the club manages to keep hold of its key players.