Changes within the German national team squad have created a leadership vacuum. Antonio Rudiger is poised to step up for Chelsea and country.
Germany won the 2014 World Cup with a mix of grit and skill. They could grind out the games that needed grinding out just as easily as they could turn on the style in games where they could be fancy. More or less, this continued through the next cycle as they won the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Then they imploded in the 2018 World Cup. Suddenly, a side that looked unbeatable no matter the situation was undone by Mexico and South Korea. Somehow, Joachim Low kept his job despite the embarrassment.
But in keeping his job, he turned the focus on those that could challenge his position. Bayern Munich stars Thomas Muller, Mat Hummels, and Jerome Boateng were all ousted suddenly. And while it is unclear what this will mean in the long term, in the short term it offers an opportunity for the likes of Antonio Rudiger.
For all the talk of the golden generation that Germany has been going through since they hosted the World Cup in 2006, they have not produced a great deal of defenders. Most of Germany’s defensive line in the past decade has been a hodgepodge of players with few “in their natural position”. But with Hummels and Boateng gone, that really opens up a spot for Rudiger.
And in fairness, Rudiger already had a spot. If Germany lines up in a back three, it is almost a guarantee that one of those wider center back spots will go to Rudiger. If they line up in a back four, it is not unheard of to see Rudiger play as the right back. Low did win the World Cup with a back line consisting almost entirely of center backs after all.
But perhaps more importantly is the leadership vacuum that will be created by the oustings. Manuel Neuer will still wear the armband but his skill and influence have waned. Toni Kroos might be next in line now but how much longer will he be running the show?
Rudiger can step up in the locker room now. He is not one of the older more grizzled veterans. But he is approaching his prime in a squad that is full of very young players. Playing so much for a team like Chelsea will likely be a benefit as well. There is always a tricky balance in national teams when certain teams dominate domestically. Rudiger is outside of that bubble and could serve as a uniting force.
And if he starts gaining influence for his national team side, he can do the same at Chelsea. In fact, he is already well on his way. Rudiger gives some of the best interviews because he is not sugar coating things for the media. It can be assumed that he is the same in the locker room. It would be hard to imagine Rudiger backing down in an argument with David Luiz or Cesar Azpilicueta if it came to it.
Rudiger is reaching his peak and improving more and more. With the national team in upheaval, he has the chance to step in and lead. Mix that with the leadership he is surely already gaining at Chelsea and suddenly the Blues have a player they can feel comfortable sticking an armband on when they need to.