Antonio Rudiger: Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says ‘nobody likes’ defender’s decision to leave | Football News

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says “nobody likes” Antonio Rudiger’s decision to leave the club this summer as the defender closes in on a free transfer to Real Madrid.

Rudiger, whose Chelsea deal expires at the end of the season, is close to agreeing a four-year deal with Real and Tuchel revealed at the weekend he had decided to reject a new contract and join a new club.

A number of clubs across Europe – including in the Premier League – remain interested in the 29-year-old but, while talks with Real are ongoing, he is set to move to the Bernabeu.

Rudiger’s representatives held talks with Barcelona last month, while he has also been linked with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Thursday 28th April 7:00pm


Kick off 7:45pm

Asked about the Germany international’s decision to leave, Tuchel said: “I don’t think anybody likes it. He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room. He is a unique character and plays on an outstanding level. He sometimes takes the focus towards him, he loves responsibility.

“Nobody likes this decision but we have to accept it. Like it or not there will be life at Chelsea after Toni. It is also the most important thing for us that it ends like it started, on the highest level.”

On coping without Rudiger, Tuchel added: “It is my job. No matter how the situation is solved and how active we can be in the transfer market, at the end we will dig in and we will try to squeeze out everything from the squad that we have.

“I will fall in love with the squad I have then and push it to the limit. It was a pleasure every single day with Toni, I am concerned that we have talked too much about it in the past because there are still big things to achieve.

“From pre-season next season, life will go on whether we are happy about it or not and I will be fully involved with all my heart and all my knowledge.”

More to follow…

Chelsea’s fixture schedule:

April 28 – Man United (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports

May 1 – Everton (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports

May 7 – Wolves (h) Premier League

May 11 – Leeds (a) Premier League, live on Sky Sports

May 14 – Liverpool (Wembley) FA Cup final

May 19 – Leicester (h) Premier League

May 22 – Watford (h) Premier League

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