Chelsea now has three transfer options after Thomas Tuchel confirms Antonio Rudiger's departure
Antonio Rudiger will leave Chelsea at the end of the season, according to Thomas Tuchel, who confirmed the news on Sunday. The German defender's contract expires in the summer, and his time at Stamford Bridge appears to be coming to an end.
Tuchel stated to Sky Sports: "Toni, the media is all over it. The current situation is that he wishes to leave the club. In a private conversation, he informed me of this. We gave everything we had - both myself and the club - but we couldn't fight because of the actions." We would be able to continue fighting if the sanctions did not exist, but our hands are tied. We don't take anything personally. It is his choice, but the type to play 50-55 games at a high level. He has been a standout defender for me over the last year and a half. Then we'll have to come up with another solution."
Rudiger has established himself as one of the Premier League's top defenders in the last year, and his departure will be a huge blow for Chelsea. How will they replace someone of the German's caliber? Football.london examines three options below.
Kounde, Jules
The most obvious. Kounde, Jules Chelsea had a strong interest in the Frenchman last summer, but they were unable to reach an agreement with Sevilla on a fee.
Tuchel admitted that the Blues were interested in Kounde, and his situation will undoubtedly be revisited at the end of the current season. This appears to be more likely now that reports in Spain claim the defender is now available for £50 million.
Kounde's speed and ability on the ball make him ideal for Tuchel's style of play. He could play on the right side of a back three, where he can cover the wing-backs if they are exploited.
De Ligt, Matthijs
Matthijs de Ligt has recently been linked with Chelsea, with his future at Juventus currently unknown. The 22-year-old has a little more than two years left on his contract with the Italian club, According to some reports, the Old Lady is ready to part ways with the Dutchman.
After joining Juventus from Ajax in the summer of 2019, the Netherlands international has flourished in Turin. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe.
De Ligt, on the other hand, would not be a cheap option for Chelsea, likely costing the club more than the reported price of Kounde (£50m). However, if he is put up for sale, it may alert other European clubs, which would be bad news for Chelsea.
Torres, Pau
There was a time when Pau Torres was frequently linked with a move to Chelsea, but that is no longer the case that front has somewhat dried up recently. The Villarreal center-back appears to be on Chelsea's radar, so this could be a situation to revisit when Rudiger leaves the west London club.
Torres' contract with Villarreal expires in just over two years, and the club is said to be keen on extending his stay. The Spaniard is very strong on the ball, with his passing being a particular strength.
The 25-year-old, however, has a slew of admirers, with Chelsea rivals Tottenham reportedly interested in signing him. Torres, on the other hand, recently stated that he is content to be playing in Spain at the moment.
"This summer, he (Roig) called my representative and told me there was a significant offer from Tottenham, that it was worth more than now (current salary)," Torres said. "But as I play in the team of my town, which few players do, I decided to stay where I am happy."
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