Rudiger ‘fully committed’ to Chelsea, says Tuchel

Nicholas Hughes

• 22 Nov 2021 12:46 GMT
• 5 min read

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has maintained that Antonio Rudiger’s full focus is on Chelsea despite his ongoing contract uncertainty.

The 28-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire next summer and there appears to be no impending solution, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich both circling.

The German has been outstanding for Chelsea this season, and Tuchel isn’t concerned right now as he continues to shine on the pitch.

“It does not affect his mentality, it does not affect his quality and it does absolutely not affect his behaviour. He is fully committed to Chelsea right now,” he said.

“He is a big competitor and he is in exactly the right spot. He is in the most competitive league, he is at a club where he really matters and that suits him perfectly, so let’s be patient and hopefully we have a good ending.”

Rudiger has played all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures so far this season, with the Blues conceding just four goals in the first 12 games of the campaign.

Tuchel’s side currently sit on top of the table, three points clear of Manchester City who are a further point above Liverpool in the early proceedings of the title race.

Rudiger has been one of Chelsea's best players this season

Rudiger recently opened the scoring for Chelsea with a towering header in their 3-0 against Leicester City – his second goal this season.

He has also become a regular for Germany of late and will hope to go to the World Cup next year as Germany look to bounce back from a disappointing last two major tournaments.

By that time, Tuchel will be desperate to ensure Rudiger is still a Chelsea player with plenty of competition for his signature. Clubs will be able to approach him for a free transfer come the turn of the year, and the Blues would do well to tie him down before then.