Seven defenders Chelsea could sign to replace Rudiger

Cameron Smith

• 21 Dec 2021 13:35 CST
• 6 min read

Antonio Rudiger is one of Chelsea's most valuable and important players, at least he has been during Thomas Tuchel's time in charge.

However, despite playing for the reigning European Champions, and for a manager who has complete trust in him, Rudiger is currently seeking a departure from the club.

His contract expires in June 2022, and widespread reports have revealed he won't be signing a new deal. Of course, there's still time for the Germany international to change his mind, but at the moment, it seems his time at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end.

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Chelsea aren't keen on matching Rudiger's wage demands, which the player feels are reasonable considering his current role at the club, and that is the sticking point.

If the Blues don't change their mind, then Rudiger may well leave.

Real Madrid is a potential destination, as is Bayern Munich, but one thing seems sure - Rudiger won't be a Chelsea player next season unless something drastic changes.

With that in mind, Chelsea have been drafting up a list of potential replacements.

But, which five players could they sign if Rudiger leaves?

Jules Kounde

The first, and most obvious, option for Chelsea is Sevilla's Jules Kounde. A deal for the Frenchman was almost done over the summer, and he seemed destined to arrive at Stamford Bridge until the Spanish side suddenly increased their asking price at the final hurdle.

That prevented a move from being completed, but reports have confirmed Chelsea remain keen on Kounde, and have kept a close eye on his form for Sevilla.

They won't have been disappointed, with the centre-back arguably the most in-form player in his position across the entire Spanish top flight this season, and garnering plenty of praise.

Capable of playing right-back as well as centre-back, Kounde is versatile and would ideally suit a wide centre-back role in Tuchel's system. The only potential problem is that he's always played on the right, especially in a back three, so switching to the left, where Rudiger plays and has made his own, may be slightly difficult.

However, Kounde has the quality to adapt, and his driving runs forward certainly have shades of Rudiger about them. He's also less rash, although Rudiger's aggression would be missed if Kounde is signed.

Niklas Sule

Similar to Kounde, Niklas Sule has experience of playing as a right-back, and this has clearly enticed Chelsea.

The man mountain of a centre-back would add height and plenty of defensive presence to the Chelsea backline, which they may lack with Rudiger's departure.

The benefit of Sule is that his contract expires in 2022, like Rudiger's, so Chelsea would be able to pick him up for free. Not only that, but he'd bring experience from one of Europe's elite sides, which a youthful Chelsea side could do with.

However, injury issues have plagued Sule's Bayern Munich career, which is a worry, and he's only started 22 league games in the past two full seasons.

Beware Chelsea.

Matthijs de Ligt

This is a move that could happen, and it could happen soon. Matthijs de Ligt has been linked with a move to the Premier League ever since breaking through at Ajax, and now a switch to Chelsea is on the cards.

Reports have suggested the Dutchman is open to a move for months, and Mino Raiola, his agent, has confirmed these rumours. Speaking to Dutch newspaper NRC, Raiola said: "[De Ligt] is ready for a new step… he thinks that too."

Chelsea is seen as the most likely destination, although he would cost a fair amount. Juventus paid £67 million to sign De Ligt from Ajax in 2019, so will be keen on recouping that fee with any sale.

Chelsea will therefore need to be prepared to splash the cash on someone who has rarely ever played in a back three, let alone on the left hand side of one. De Ligt doesn't seem the ideal candidate for a Rudiger replacement, but he might be the most likely.

Marquinhos

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos is another name on Chelsea's radar. The Brazilian took the armband in Paris once Thiago Silva departed, and join the Blues, and has stepped up ever since. He's arguably been one of their top three performers over the past two years, so the club will be desperate to keep him.

His contract doesn't expire until 2024, so Chelsea would need to pay the full price for him, and with other alternatives on the market, they could look elsewhere as PSG are very unlikely to sell.

Ronald Araujo

Barcelona have been forced to turn to their youth in recent years, and one of the many success stories have been Ronald Araujo.

He joined Barcelona's B side in 2018, and is now a first-team regular when he's fit.

A tall, powerful defender, Araujo has established himself as Barcelona's best centre-back over the past 12 months, and that form has caught Chelsea's eye.

According to El Nacional, Araujo has held talks with Roman Abramovich, while Thomas Tuchel has "secured him a role as the undisputed starter."

It remains to be seen if these reports are true, but Araujo would be an excellent signing for the Blues.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Nico Schlotterbeck has arguably been the best young centre-back in Europe this season, and has a real shot of making the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

The 22-year-old defender is simply outstanding, and whoever manages to pluck him out of Freiburg will be getting a gem.

Not only is he left-footed, which would ideally suit playing on the left of a back three, but Schlotterbeck is incredible in every phase of play.

Over the past 12 months, his tackles and interceptions P90 rank in the 93rd percentile of centre-backs in Europe's top five leagues, according to Fbref, and using the same metric he's in the 99th percentile for touches in the opponents penalty area, and shots taken. He's also a monster at progressing the ball.

Essentially, Schlotterbeck can do it all, and Chelsea would be wise to spend their money on signing him.

Alessandro Bastoni

In the same breath as Schlotterbeck, Alessandro Bastoni is also left-footed, which would help to play Rudiger's role on the left.

Similar to Schlotterbeck, Bastoni is an excellent ball-carrier from deep, and pairs that with the distribution to match.

Less front-footed than Schlotterbeck, Bastoni is more reserved, but that could suit the shape Tuchel likes to deploy.

Unlike the Freiburg man, however, Bastoni will be hard to get out of Inter, with his contract not expiring until 2024, and Inter not in a position where they need to sell.