Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is ready to defy the club’s bid to open talks over a new deal – by delaying negotiations over his future until a time that suits him.
The Germany defender had fallen down the pecking order under Frank Lampard and appeared destined to leave.
That has led to continuing speculation that a move across London to Tottenham was on the cards. Indeed, our exclusive revealed how Rudiger skipped a game back in September in order to push through the move.
However, Rudiger has emerged from the shadows to become a key figure under his compatriot.
His form in the heart of defence has been nothing short of inspired, with their top-four push now firmly back on track. In the 13 games Tuchel has been in charge, Chelsea have kept 11 clean sheets. Rudiger has started in nine of those games.
Indeed, in his 21 appearances for Chelsea this season, the Blues have 16 clean sheets.
However, with his contract due to expire in summer 2022, Chelsea are well aware of the need to tie Rudiger down. Failure to do so in the next few weeks will see them vulnerable to his sale this summer.
As such, a report earlier this week claimed Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia had made it a priority to tie the defender down to a new deal. She, under instruction from Tuchel, is keen to secure the defender to a contract extension as a matter of urgency.
However, according to Kicker, Rudiger is unwilling to open talks on his future just yet. They write the 28-year-old is ‘more hesitant’ over talks. Furthermore, they state he will ‘not speak to Chelsea about a renewal until after Euro 2020 has concluded’ later in the summer.
It’s suggested a strong Euros will put Rudiger in an even stronger position over his future. Indeed, they state he will ‘finish the season without clarity’ at Stamford Bridge, much to Granovskaia’s frustration.
All, however, is not lost for the Blues.
The article claims that Rudiger can ‘very well imagine staying at Stamford Bridge’ and feels he is now a valued member of Tuchel’s side.
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Rudiger confirms Tottenham links
Ahead of their match with Atletico Madrid this week, Rudiger has confirmed he was close joining PSG or Spurs.
“Everyone here at the club knows how much I like this club. At the end of the day it is down to the people who make these decisions but for me, at the moment is to concentrate on important matches and targets,” said Rudiger.
“Like I always said, to me, even at the beginning of the season when things didn’t go my way, I was always calm, like now. At the end of the day I cannot give myself a contract. I love it here at Chelsea, they will always be my priority number one.
“Some things I saw coming but then I was not in the squad I didn’t see that coming but I took it on the chin.
“I was close [to leaving] there were two teams that maybe one I was considering was PSG and then there was Mourinho. I had a chat with Lampard and then I was back on the bench.”
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