Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says “no one likes” Antonio Rudiger’s decision to leave the club this summer as the defender approaches a free transfer to Real Madrid.
Rudiger, whose contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season, is close to a four-year contract with Real and Tuhel revealed over the weekend that he has decided to reject a new contract and join a new club.
A number of clubs from all over Europe – including in the Premier League – are still interested in the 29-year-old, but while negotiations with Real continue, he is ready to move to the Bernabeu.
Rudiger’s representatives held talks with Barcelona last month, and he has also been linked with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Thursday, April 28, 7:00 p.m. Start 7:45 p.m.
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Asked about the German national’s decision to leave, Tuchel said: “I don’t think he likes it. He gives everyone confidence in the locker room. He is unique and plays at an exceptional level. Sometimes he focuses on him, he loves responsibility.
“Nobody likes this decision, but we have to accept it. Like it or not, there will be life in Chelsea after Tony. It is also important for us to finish as it started, at the highest level. “
Rudiger has been a key part of Chelsea’s success in recent seasons, having won five trophies with the club, including last year’s Champions League.
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Watch Rudiger’s stunning Chelsea shot against Brentford from all angles
To cope without him, Tuhel added: “This is my job. No matter how the situation is resolved and how active we can be in the transfer market, we will finally dig in and try to push everything out of the team that we have.
“I will fall in love with the team I have then and I will bring it to the limit. It was a pleasure every day with Tony, I’m worried we’ve talked too much about it in the past because there’s still a lot to achieve.
“From the pre-season next season, life will continue, whether we are happy with it or not, and I will be fully committed with all my heart and all my knowledge.
Georgino admits: “We will miss Rudiger”
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Chelsea midfielder Giorgino has apologized for missing a penalty against West Ham and said the club will miss defender Rudiger if he leaves in the summer.
Jorgenin told Sky Sports News that Chelsea will miss Rudiger before his expected departure.
“He’s been here a long time, so if he leaves, we’ll miss him,” he said.
“He’s a great person and he’s helped us a lot. We’ve had some amazing moments here; he’s a good friend of mine and of course, if he leaves everyone at the club, he’ll miss me, not just me.”
Asked what he would miss most about Rudiger, the 30-year-old laughed: “His madness. He makes me laugh a lot; all the jokes and laughter we’ve had together – that’s the good part.”
Chelsea match schedule:
April 28 – Man United (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 1 – Everton Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 7 – Premier League of Wolves (h).
May 11 – Leeds (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports
May 14 – FA Cup Final Liverpool (Wembley).
May 19 – Leicester (h) Premier League
May 22 – Watford (h) Premier League
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