Rudiger bid spells the end for Maguire at Man Utd
Carlo Garganese
- 26 Apr 2022 10:00 BST
- 4 min read
The big football transfer news of the past few days has been the confirmation that Antonio Rudiger is leaving Chelsea at the end of the season.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel regretfully announced on Sunday that Rudiger will depart on a Bosman Transfer when his contract expires on June 30.
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“Toni, the media is on it. The situation is that he wants to leave the club,” Tuchel confirmed following Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
“He informed me of this is in a private talk. We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore because of the sanctions. Without the sanctions we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.”
This news is naturally a massive blow for Chelsea as Rudiger has proven himself to be an indispensable member of Tuchel’s team over the last 18 months – playing a key role in the Champions League triumph last season.
READ MORE: How much did Man Utd offer Rudiger?
But this news also has a domino effect on Harry Maguire’s future at Manchester United.
It has since been widely reported by numerous reliable media outlets that Rudiger will be joining Real Madrid, with the Germany international having agreed a four-year contract.
But this deal only came about after – as reported by Sport and others - Rudiger rejected a massive €10 million-a-year contract offer from Man Utd.
Rudiger is understood to have turned this down as he didn't want to leave Chelsea and stay in the Premier League.
The fact that Man Utd made such a big move for Rudiger almost certainly suggests that they saw him as a replacement for the much-criticised Harry Maguire.
Maguire has endured a disastrous season, with a series of dismal performances and bloopers. The England centre-back has made 16 errors leading to goals this season, according to InStat.
This has led to him being widely panned by the media and fans, to the extent that the defender even reportedly received a bomb threat to his home last week.
Harry Maguire watching Man United defend 🤐 pic.twitter.com/0UFfkeiQhb
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 23, 2022
Maguire was dropped for the weekend defeat by Arsenal and his future at the club has for some months now been in doubt.
The appointment of Erik ten Hag has raised more question marks, with the Dutch manager playing a 4-3-3 formation that requires his centre-backs to be mobile and play high up the pitch. The slow Maguire is best in a back-three in a deep defensive line.
Thus, the approach for Rudiger suggests that Ten Hag saw the ex-Roma man as a partner for Raphael Varane. The Frenchman has been disappointing himself this season but at least possesses the attributes that Ten Hag will feel he can work with.
Although Man Utd failed to sign Rudiger, they have shown their hand to Maguire and will surely now go out and look to buy an alternative.
Maguire will know now they are planning to replace him – will he try and stay and fight for his place or will he put this traumatic season behind him and move on?
The writing seems to be on the wall for Maguire.
Read more about: La Liga, Premier League, Chelsea, Man Utd, Real Madrid, Antonio Rüdiger, Harry Maguire
