Antonio Rudiger has claimed that his future at Chelsea beyond the ongoing campaign is up to the club’s decision-makers.
Speaking to The Athletic, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has insisted that he is happy at Stamford Bridge, but his future beyond the current season is in the hands of the club.
Rudiger is currently in his fifth season with Chelsea, having arrived from AS Roma in 2017. The German international has been playing his finest football for the Blues over the past year. He has been integral to their success in the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during this period.
However, Rudiger’s time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end, with his contract expiring in four months. Talks over a renewal had been held last year, but the former Roma defender was unhappy with the £140,000-a-week deal that Chelsea were offering. It led to a complete standstill in negotiations.
But the Blues have reopened communication to extend his contract with a new offer believed to have been tabled. However, Rudiger is understood to have turned it down as well, as he seeks a deal worth around £225,000 per week.
It has led to huge speculations surrounding Rudiger’s future. The German international already has contract offers from European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. In addition to that, Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are also in the mix for his signing.
With the situation being as it is, Rudiger was quizzed about his future at Chelsea, to which he replied: “I feel great here, I have always said it. I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here. But there are also other people who have to make decisions.”
Rudiger, who will turn 29 next month, is in his peak years and has been in top form over the past twelve months. Losing him, that too on a free transfer, at the end of the season would come as a huge blow for Chelsea.
The Blues are expected to continue talks with the defender’s camp, with the report claiming that they have prioritised the German’s contract extension over teammate Andreas Christensen, whose deal also stands to expire in June. It remains to be seen if Chelsea can convince Rudiger to sign an extension or end up losing him.
