Tuchel: Chelsea is “exactly the right spot” for Antonio Rudiger

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is adamant he isn’t worried and is hoping for a “happy end” to Antonio Rudiger’s contract situation.

The German has been a key player for the Blues boss since his appointment but his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

This means the 28-year-old, who scored in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Leicester on Saturday, will be allowed to discuss pre-contract terms with clubs abroad from January.

With Rudiger considering his options, Tuchel has again expressed his desire for the defender to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger is a key man for Tuchel.

“He has been outstanding from day one and is getting better and better at a very high level,” Tuchel said (via football.london).

“The situation is the situation. We want him to stay, this is very clear and he knows it. But sometimes in these situations there is a certain delay and, obviously, there is a delay in these talks and his decision.

“It can happen these days but it does not effect his mentality, it doesn’t affect his quality, it doesn’t effect his behaviour. He is fully committed to Chelsea right now and I am absolutely sure he feels the trust, respect and love from the club and spectators.

“For me, he is a big competitor and he is exactly the right spot. He is in the most competitive league and at a club where winning matters, so let’s be a bit patient and hopefully we have a happy end.”

Rudiger, who has been linked with Real Madrid, has played 165 times for Chelsea since signing from Roma in 2017.

The Germany international has been formidable on the left side of Tuchel’s back-three formation and starred as the club won the Champions League for the second time back in May.