Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger is nibbling away at his contract

It’s probably a good thing that Manchester United’s Paul Pogba avoided any theatrics as Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger did, well, whatever it was he was doing to him. It was one of the many oddities in the France Germany match which also included a skydiver and a Mat Hummels own goal. It likely also helped that post match Rudiger admitted he shouldn’t have gotten that close to Pogba and Pogba wasn’t overly bothered by the whole event.

Rudiger faces no ban for the event and for the most part, it’s all been met with humor rather than disgust. But that was a fine line to straddle and it, amongst other things, might cause Chelsea to sweat.

Antonio Rudiger’s contract is running out and neither he nor Chelsea seem to be moving on it. It is a strange place for both after recent showings. Strangely, there might be a sense from both parties that going their separate ways might be the play.

For Rudiger’s part, it’s playing the odds. He’s been fantastic and a major player under Thomas Tuchel. But, this is Chelsea, where managers are lucky to get two full years regardless of their successes. Rudiger is getting to the age where he has, at most, one more big move in him. And that big move is far easier to pull off as a free agent than as someone under contract.

Then there is the media, which Rudiger seems pretty well done with. Various reports at the time of Frank Lampard’s sacking pointed the finger at Rudiger. He denied those reports and, honestly, the truth of the matter is less important than the effect the pointing had. Neanderthals pretending to be fans used it as an excuse to abuse Rudiger. One of the key reasons Rudiger left Italy is because he got sick of the racism. That exists in England too, so he may be thinking of a move to somewhere that the idiots are minimalized more. Perhaps somewhere people watching from home don’t video themselves booing at an anti racist gesture?

From Chelsea’s point of view, it’s an awkward situation. Rudiger was a revelation under Thomas Tuchel and, so long as Tuchel remains, it would seem Rudiger would continue to play and play well. But, just as Rudiger might be playing the odds, Chelsea might be as well. The rumors also indicate that a contract hasn’t been offered and Rudiger may never have better value than he does now. If there is any indication he won’t extend or be able to continue this form for any other manager, then the Blues will cash in.

There is the nibbling side to it as well. Rudiger isn’t getting banned and he likely has Pogba to thank for that, but it was so close to being a disaster situation for Chelsea. It’s one thing when a player has edge and some grit to them. It’s another when they start trying to taste the opposition. Chelsea is sure to put up with a lot of antics so long as the punishment is minimal, but it doesn’t take much for that to shift.

Maybe after the Euros, Rudiger is offered a contract and opts to take it. But, as it stands, it looks as though neither party is budging. Both have reasons for that and it looks like, at the moment, both are further away from one another than would be expected.