After failing to reach an agreement on a new contract, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel stated that defender Antonio Rudiger has decided to leave the club. The former AS Roma player was in talks with the club about a new deal, which was set to expire in June 2022. The lack of a resolution to Rudiger's contract is due to protracted discussions and penalties imposed on the club following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The defender is closing in on a move to Real Madrid, with the club apparently being his favourite destination.
Rudiger has been a vital member of Chelsea's squad for the past 18 months.
Rudiger became a vital player for Chelsea after joining the club in 2017 and soon established himself as a regular. However, his significance grew after the appointment of Tuchel, a fellow countryman, as manager in 2021. Tuchel emphasised Rudiger's importance to the team in his news conference ahead of Chelsea's weekend match against West Ham, saying the club now needs to find a substitute for him. The excellence of Rudiger's performances after Tuchel's appointment may make it difficult to find a suitable replacement. Without further ado, here is a list of five potential replacements for Rudiger at Chelsea.
#5 Ethan Ampadu
Chelsea have a young player in Ethan Ampadu who has spent time learning his craft outside the club. The Welshman, who is still only 21, presently plays for Serie A strugglers Venezia, where he has been one of the team's top performers. Ampadu made his Blues debut as a 16-year-old and went on to make 12 senior appearances before being loaned out. In loan periods, he has played for RB Leipzig and Sheffield United, gaining valuable experience. Before his loan spells, the 33-cap Wales international displayed precociousness, and he has tremendously progressed since then.
Like Rudiger, Ampadu enjoys playing on the front foot, enabling him to make aggressive interceptions and read the game intelligently. With the club's current situation of being unable to do business due to sanctions, Ampadu could easily fit the bill at the club.
#4 Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill, a product of Chelsea's academy system, has emerged as a prospective replacement for Rudiger in the team. The 19-year-old left-sided central defender is now on loan at Huddersfield Town in the Championship, where his performances are attracting attention. Colwill has had a similar influence at Huddersfield as Reece James had during his first and only loan stay in the same league. In his first taste of men's football, the adolescent has made 28 appearances for the Terriers and has received high praise from all quarters. He made his first debut for England's U-21 team recently, demonstrating his progress over the preceding year.
Colwill plays as a left-sided defender, the same position Rudiger occupies in the Blues' back three. The English youngster still has a lot to learn and may enjoy doing so by playing alongside the vastly experienced Thiago Silva. Tuchel likes him from what he has seen of him as well.
#3 Pau Torres
Villarreal has had a memorable year, won their first major prize, the UEFA Europa League, and reaching the UEFA Champions League semifinals for the first time in 16 years. Pau Torres, a Spanish defender and a lifelong follower of the club, is at the heart of it all. In the previous two years, Torres has emerged as one of Europe's brightest talents. Just before the start of the 2020-21 season, he was offered a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. He would rather stay at his boyhood club and build a reputation for himself, which he has done. Torres, who is now 25 years old, may find himself desiring a change of scenery.
The Spanish international is not short of suitors, but will come at a pricey sum. His experience as a left-sided defender and his reading of the game make him a possible replacement for Rudiger.
#2 Wesley Fofana
French youngster Wesley Fofana has emerged as one of the best young defenders in the Premier League since moving to Leicester City from Saint-Etienne. The 21-year-old has impressed for the Foxes and played a key role in their FA Cup triumph last season.
Fofana suffered a horrific ankle fracture in pre-season, but has recovered and is back in action for the Foxes. The young defender has reportedly been on Chelsea's radar for a while. The club was reported to have been willing to put in a bid for him even while he was out injured.
Signing Fofana could help Chelsea secure the position for a number of years due to his age and quality. The Frenchman is also experienced in Premier League football and would not require time to acclimatize to the league.
#1 Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde, a Sevilla defender, was supposedly close to joining Chelsea in the summer of 2021 for £12.8 million. The Spanish club had struck an agreement with Chelsea over his sale before deciding to reconsider the amount, much to Chelsea's chagrin. His move to Chelsea was thwarted as a result of this. Kounde has been promised that a transfer away from Sevilla will not be thwarted as long as the buyer is willing to pay his transfer price.
The 23-year-old centre-back has reportedly said he wants to leave Sevilla and is almost certain that he will join a Premier League club.Kounde has emerged as a top-quality defender in La Liga, earning him a place in France's squad for Euro 2020 and the UEFA Nations League final. The defender will look to quickly complete his move to Chelsea to end incessant speculation about his future