Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is likely to leave Stamford Bridge when his contract expires in the summer, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law.
Speaking on the London Is Blue podcast, the journalist said that negotiations over an extension have stalled and the player is expected to speak to foreign clubs in the New Year:
🗣 @Matt_Law_DT on Antonio Rüdiger’s contract situation:
“There’s not been any progress [since the last update]. The key time is going to be in January when foreign clubs can talk to him. If those offers don’t arrive, then the situation flips on him.”
🔊 https://t.co/3ldfeQrXKz pic.twitter.com/zyUnusdrQR
— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) November 10, 2021
Some supporters on Twitter are disappointed that Rudiger is seemingly on his way out of the club, while others feel that the Blues were right not to give in to the player’s contract demands:
Real pain
— Bra Kwame 🇬🇭 (@AnsahdanielCFC) November 10, 2021
Nooo not Rudiger 😫
— 🧤 (@CFCEdouuu) November 10, 2021
Before ppl goes ham, Chelsea won’t give out a 200k contract to someone who’s been amazing for 10 months, I love rudi and I want him to stay but I understand the board’s reluctance to give out 200k, if he preforms well for 2-4 seasons the giving him that contract would make sense
— Jav🇯🇲 (@CFCJAV03) November 10, 2021
Pain.
— S 🥶 (@CFCSALMAN) November 10, 2021
Rudiger’s more than just a left side CB in his system. The man sometimes outruns opponents and turns into a striker as well whenever we need him. I don’t think we can get such a replacement
— dngy (@CFCDngy) November 10, 2021
Yup, said it since the summer he will leave. He's played so well they can demand so much but it's also risky for us given a year ago 99% of fans wanted him gone.
A shame he leaves but we aren't desperate to keep him
— 🌟🌟 (@CarefreeHavertz) November 10, 2021
What's the deal there with Ruediger? Why can't they just get it done?
— Nutz (@GSL_IV_) November 10, 2021
Honestly Rudiger had been a beast last 10 months, but I understand the board to not pay the amount he wants. If he was performing like this for the past years okay I get it. But right now I understand the board. If he wants to leave, goodluck to him. We'll get another defender.
— CFCSkieBie 🇧🇪 (@CFCSkieBie) November 10, 2021
It’s a difficult one. Rudiger is entitled to think that he deserves pay parity with others in the Chelsea squad, especially after the performances he has put in over the last twelve months.
However, the club can’t pay everyone the same and it appears that no common ground has been found. While you can’t rule out a u-turn from the player, it looks likely that the German will leave on a free transfer.
