Antonio Rudiger’s situation at Chelsea is difficult to fathom after his reemergence as a top central defender under manager Thomas Tuchel. (Note: herein speaks an avowed Rudiger fan.) The 28-year-old central defender who was a key to all of Chelsea’s success in 2020/21 is in a contract situation with Chelsea. It’s hard to fathom why. Rudiger emerged as possibly the best defender, if not the best player who toiled under Tuchel after he took control of the side from Frank Lampard. Having been consigned to a deep bench role under Lampard, Rudiger emerged as an absolute titan when re-inserted into the first team by Tuchel.
Reports indicate that Rudiger may be reluctant to commit to Chelsea since their changes in managers may again consign him to the bench. In this space, that point won’t be argued. It’s a fact of life at Chelsea. A report was cited this way,
"The report continues to state that Rudiger has not forgotten that he was treated poorly under former coach Frank Lampard as Chelsea primarily deployed a four man defense, with Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva being preferred to Rudiger at the start of the season."
Again, that was exactly the case in the Chelsea merry-go-round of managerial change. One manager’s top choice is another’s bench sitter. That’s the reality in SW6 and it’s unlikely to change. Rudiger’s reluctance is certainly well-founded. After seeing his performance perhaps as “Player of the Second Half” for the Blues, he certainly has every reason to be concerned.
What will resolve this situation? Not certain, but this space says hopefully it will be resolved. Rudiger has shown his mettle not only in the blue shirt of Chelsea but also as a first-teamer for Germany. Not only that, but as has been noted in this space previously, he adds a dimension of grit and toughness that no one else in the Chelsea team seems to be able to provide. The value of that is incalculable. You have it, you can compete. You don’t, you will be pushed around at best and bullied at worst by Premier League and other sides’ tough guys who will understand the weakness, react, and dominate even if inferior in talent, which most are to the Blues.
Rudiger has made it perfectly clear under Tuchel that he is the boss on the pitch for the Blues. It says here that perhaps Tuchel could/should afford him the captain’s armband. And that implies no offense whatsoever to the amazing Cesar Azpilicueta for whom this space has a renewed appreciation for all of his contributions to the side for years, and especially last season. Yet, like John Terry, Rudiger provides not only the top ability but also the grit and willingness to use it which is necessary (in this writer’s opinion) in a football captain.
That issue notwithstanding, Chelsea and Rudiger hopefully will get together soon, right after the Euros, to iron out a contract that satisfies both sides. Tuchel obviously loves the player and Chelsea fans should too after he was a critical component of a Champions League-winning side. Hopefully, they do, as this writer does. Don’t you just love the sound of that, Champions League winning side!? It never gets old. Never!
So, the prescription for Chelsea’s management team is this, once the Euros are completed (or are completed for Germany), call the talented German central defender in for a sit-down and iron out a deal that makes sense for both parties. That makes the most sense for all concerned. Rudiger is a mainstay in Chelsea’s three-man central defense. Under Tuchel, this alignment could win anything and everything. (Note: they already have won the biggest prize available, the UCL trophy! Huzzah!!!).
So, Chelsea should keep the players who have already helped achieve some goals in the team, and acquire those who will help acquire all the rest. It’s simply, a prescription for greatness.