Real Madrid-target Rudiger is leaving Chelsea - Tuchel

Carlo Garganese

24 Apr 2022 10:56 CDT
4 min read

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Antonio Rudiger is leaving the club on a Bosman Transfer at the end of the season.

Article continues under the video

Rudiger’s future has been in doubt for a long time now as his contract expires in June.

The Germany international has rejected a number of lucrative contract offers to renew his deal.

However, negotiations have had to stop following the sanctions against Roman Abramovich which has seen Chelsea search for a new owner.

Rudiger has thus been unwilling to wait any longer for a new owner to arrive and there have been multiple reports in the media on Sunday that he has agreed to join Real Madrid.

Tuchel did not confirm Rudiger’s destination but he has admitted that the centre back will depart at the end of the season.

What did Tuchel say about Rudiger?

“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 out hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.

Thomas Tuchel confirms Antonio Rudiger has decided to leave Chelsea: "The situation is that he wants to leave the club. 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 actions." #CFC
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) April 24, 2022

“He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room. The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one and a half years for me. We then need to find another solution.

“A replacement for Rudiger? At the moment no because of the sanctions but then it will be difficult because Toni is what he is. A big personality, a leader, and he takes fear away from other people. He gives players confidence and plays matches with consistency. It will be challenging but like always, no matter how much I love Toni, there will be Chelsea without Toni and we will find solutions.”

Rudiger signed for Chelsea in 2017 and, after an average first three seasons at the club, he has been outstanding since the arrival of Tuchel in January 2020.

He played a key role in Chelsea winning the Champions League last year and is now considered one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

Aside from Madrid, Man Utd, Barcelona and Juventus have all been interested in signing Rudiger.