Thomas Tuchel confirms Antonio Rudiger will leave Chelsea at the end of the 2021-22 season

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Antonio Rudiger will be leaving the club at the end of the season. The Germany international’s contract expires in June, and the Blues have been unable to tie him down to a new deal. 

As a result, they will be losing one of their best players over the last few seasons for nothing. Real Madrid are currently leading the race for the centre-back this summer, and are prepared to offer him a major increase in salary which Chelsea were not willing to extend. 

Real Madrid next for Antonio Rudiger? 

“We gave everything, me and the club, but we could not fight any more because of the actions. 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.”

“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,” Tuchel said.

“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.” 

Carlo Ancelotti has personally asked Florentino Perez to sign Antonio Rudiger to add to the defensive options at the club. With Rudiger set to join Andreas Christensen through the exit door, Chelsea will need to spend in the transfer market to find a suitable replacement for him.