Three possible Antonio Rudiger replacements for Chelsea
2. Brendan Chardonnet (Stade Brestois 29, France)
Brendan Chardonnet is probably not a name you expected to see on this list, but he has performed very well this season. Playing for Ligue 1 club Brest, Chardonnet helped his team to an impressive 11th place finish in the French top flight. “Impressive?” Yes, when you consider that Les Pirates barely escaped relegation last season by the skin of their teeth, finishing just one point above the drop zone when things were all said and done.
Chardonnet has contributed to six clean sheets in 30 games that he has started this season. The Frenchman has very good interception and tackling numbers too. He averages 1.7 interceptions per game this season, as well as 1.4 tackles per game. Chardonnet has won 78% of his tackles, which is very good. Unsurprisingly, he blocks one shot per game too. The relatively unknown centerback is also very strong at winning duels. He has won 63% of his ground duels this season, winning 2.2 per game. Chardonnet has also won 62% of his aerial duels, averaging 2.2 aerials per game. 62% aerial duels won is commendable when you consider that he is five-foot-11 (1.81m) tall. Like Rudiger, Chardonnet averages 8.72 pressures per 90, but the Brest man has a higher success rate than the German (38%)
His passing is similar to Rudiger’s in that he is also a high-volume long passer. He has averaged 5.4 long balls per game this season at a 53% long ball accuracy, which is identical to Rudiger’s long ball accuracy. Chardonnet plays for a team that averages 44% possession, so it remains to be seen how well he’d do in a possession-based side. He currently averages the most passes per game for his team though, as well as long balls.
His volume of long balls indicates that his team currently plays through him, so this would not be a foreign concept should he come to a place like Chelsea. He has averaged 34.3 passes per 90 at an 83% passing accuracy. This passing accuracy is on par for a player who plays in the kind of team Chardonnet plays in. Even Rudiger at AS Roma averaged around 82% passing accuracy, but all that increased when he played in a team that dominated possession. The same can be assumed for Chardonnet. Chardonnet’s ball progression is also very good, as 6% of his carries and passes are progressive, though not as progressive as Rudiger’s. Again, Chardonnet will get more space and chances to progress the ball more if he plays for a team that controls more of the ball.
Chardonnet would not be expensive either, as he is 27 years old. The Blues may be able to get him for about £15 to 22 million. This is because his contract expires in 2025 and he’s the team captain, so he’s invaluable to his current side.