Paul Parker has called on former club Manchester United to sign Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, claiming that he would be the perfect addition.
Speaking to Betting Expert, as relayed by the Daily Mail, former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has urged the club to consider signing Chelsea contract rebel Antonio Rudiger.
The German international has gone from strength to strength over the past year, making a huge impression under the tutelage of manager Thomas Tuchel. Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League currently, the 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has been heavily linked with an exit.
Real Madrid have been touted as the favourites to sign Rudiger, but there has been plenty of interest from other clubs, with Manchester United also being linked with the ex-AS Roma star. This season, the Red Devils have been woeful at the back, having let in 26 goals already – the third-worst defensive record in the top half of the Premier League table.
Parker has now urged Manchester United to go after Rudiger, insisting that he would be the perfect signing for his former employers. “To come to Manchester United, I would say that is ambitious. I would understand why he would want to and I think he would make a difference,” Parker said.
“If you had him next to Varane, what a difference you’re talking about. Good pace and you’re talking about someone who’s won a World Cup, Champions League and then you’ve got a centre-half, who in the old-school way of talking, is actually a leader. He actually shouts and screams, bosses people about, dictates the people.
“When people aren’t doing it, he tells them because he doesn’t make that many mistakes himself. He keeps things simple. He’d be absolutely perfect.”
On whether Rudiger would consider joining a direct rival like Manchester United, Parker added, “It all depends on him being ambitious. Does he want to go to Manchester United and be the difference-maker at the back?
“‘I’m the one that took them forward’ and all of a sudden the momentum started and they started winning games and two years down the line, they go on and win a Premier League and everyone says he’s the signing that made the difference because the back line was poor. Then I would certainly get that.”
A proven operator in the Premier League, the 28-year-old would certainly add quality to this Manchester United side. Although, any move for him would require the 20-time English champions to offload some of their current defenders, with Ralf Rangnick already having Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Raphael Varane, and Phil Jones at his disposal while Axel Tuanzebe will also be back in the summer.
