Rudiger to Real Madrid: How they will line up
FT Desk
- 2 Jun 2022 12:52 BST
- 3 min read
Real Madrid have announced that they have signed Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer from Chelsea.
The Germany international rejected a number of lucrative contract offers to renew his Chelsea deal and will now depart for Madrid when his contract expires on June 30.
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Rudiger has signed a four-year deal.
He is the latest in a long line of impressive free transfer signings by Madrid in recent seasons, including David Alaba last year.
So how will Madrid line up with Rudiger?
Thibaut Courtois will naturally continue in goal as he has proved himself to be one of the best in his position, playing a starring role in the Champions League final win against Liverpool.
Dani Carvajal will be first-choice at right-back, but then things become interesting elsewhere in defence.
Madrid will now have three top-class centre backs in Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba. It is probable the three will rotate over the course of the season.
But Alaba can also play at left-back, so he could push out or rotate with Ferland Mendy to allow Rudiger and Militao to start in the middle.
Alaba could also be pushed up into a midfield role. The first-choice midfield trio remains Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who will sign a new contract for one more year.
But Alaba, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga could also get plenty of game-time in the midfield. Madrid are also in negotiations to sign Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni.
Carlo Ancelotti could also use a three-man backline with Alaba, Militao and Rudiger as the three centre-backs.
If Ancelotti sticks with the 4-3-3, then two of the three forwards pick themselves in Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema.
As for the right-wing role, Madrid will likely go out and sign a new attacker following Kylian Mbappe's rejection. But until then Valverde will rotate with Marco Asensio.
Overall, the signing of Rudiger will certainly give Madrid plenty more tactical options going forward.
