Antonio Rudiger, a key component of the revitalized Chelsea side

Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger has undergone a magnificent renaissance under Thomas Tuchel, so much so that he’s now become an essential component of this winning side. It’s not only winning, as such, but it’s also challenging for two major pieces of silverware to boot. Those would be the FA Cup—in which the Blues have landed a spot in the final—and a semifinal gig against Real Madrid, which has them in a slight lead after the first leg. That’s some turnaround from before Tuchel took the reins from Frank Lampard.

Absent the absolutely stunning form of a wunderkind, Mason Mount, Rudiger—his half-season of effort only really being in play—could very likely be in strong contention for the Player of the Season award. Unfortunately, for Rudiger, Mount seems to have run off and hidden with this award safely tucked into his back pocket unless a gross misreading of the tea leaves is going on here. He’s just been simply spectacular. Too bad in a way for Rudiger, because his second-half eruption onto the scene has taken him from afterthought and bench player to key first team left central defender. His play has also helped spearhead Chelsea’s suffocating defense to previously unthought-of heights.

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The defense has gone from occasionally sieve-like to stifling, absent the uncharacteristically aberrational blip against West Brom after an early red card. An occasional goal is all you can seemingly get against the Blue Curtain, as even mighty Real Madrid only managed to eke out one due to a monster individual effort by the irrepressible and largely unheralded Galactico, Karim Benzema. That notwithstanding, Chelsea can wrap up a trip to the Champions League final by doing what it does best of late, keeping a clean sheet by avoiding that one mistake that cost it in the first leg. Possible? Absolutely. Likely? Just maybe. If so, a big part in that will be played by Rudiger.

How Chelsea has benefitted from Rudiger’s reemergence as a star back-liner.

It’s been commented in this space previously that the fortunes of football players rise and fall as do the fortunes of their current and/or past managers. It’s a really interesting dynamic that obviously can—and often does—have massive ramifications on a side’s fortunes. The change Tuchel has implemented shows just that for some previously exiled players. These include Rudiger, as perhaps the most poignant, but certainly not the only example. In fact, 3/4’s of the back line has been revamped by the inclusion of Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Rudiger into a rotating back four or five.

Rudiger’s reemergence has been the most critical, though in no way is that meant to denigrate the contributions of both Christensen and the ever-dependable Azpilicueta. They all have been central to the lockdown defense now employed by the Blues. Yet, Rudiger more than the others, had added additional qualities. First, as explained previously, his toughness is a trait sorely lacking in Chelsea’s current squad. He provides it and it is a welcome addition to the first team. As it would be to any side, anytime, especially a Blues side that is generally lacking in this attribute.

In addition, Rudiger has emerged as an attacking presence from the deep back line. His willingness and adeptness to burst forward when the opportunity presents itself is a major headache to any side that has to deal with this rocket ship who barrels down the pitch like a freight train. In fact, all of the regular backs seem to have this ability, especially Christensen and Azpilicueta, yet don’t avail themselves of the opportunities seemingly as readily as Rudiger does. One can only ponder whether this allowance, if it is such by Tuchel, is game-strategy-based or whether these central defenders have license to so attack whenever the opportunity of a deep-penetrating dash into the area is likely to be fruitful. Seeing as this allows for the likelihood that a defensive midfielder will automatically drop down to the back line upon seeing such an advance, there seems little downside risk to this tremendous addition to Chelsea’s attack. Yet, ofttimes, the defenders are reluctant to press the advantage in certain games.

Whether this rejuvenation by Tuchel ultimately bears any real fruit is yet to be seen. We will all know better in several weeks. It, unfortunately, could result in several negative turn of events. These include non-qualification in the Champions League via a top four finish, elimination by Real Madrid in the semifinals—or an even more crushing loss in the final of the Champions League to whichever other side goes through—and a loss to Leicester City in the FA Cup Final.

All this could eventuate thereby leaving the Chelsea faithful in a frightful state of distress and lack of fulfillment of magnificent potentiality. Yet, since the converse may also occur, what remains to be seen will be of great consequence, indeed. Ultimately, isn’t that the beauty of the game. One just never knows, does one?

Whatever ultimately eventuates, Rudiger’s rejuvenation will have nevertheless been one of the most positive and best stories of the second half of this most interesting and unprecedented season for Chelsea. Let’s just win all of it, shall we?