BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has singled out Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger for praise as he continues to put in top-drawer performances for the Blues.

The German international has been extremely consistent since manager Thomas Tuchel reintroduced the player back into the starting eleven following his arrival last January. Ferdinand goes as far as to say the 28-year-old has been the best centre-half in English football over the last nine months:

“Since Tuchel has come I think he’s arguably been the best centre-back. I think him and Dias would have been close but the effect he has had on his team has been immense.”

Considering Rudiger had been effectively frozen out by previous coach Frank Lampard, it has been a massive turnaround in fortunes for the defender.

It remains to be seen, though, how long he will stay at Stamford Bridge, with his contract expiring in the summer. Tuchel would love to keep him at Chelsea but there appears to be a sizeable difference between the German’s wage demands and what the club are prepared to give him.

Teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Tottenham are all reportedly interested in securing Rudiger’s services.