Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger, 27, is ready to work his way back into Frank Lampard’s team. Rudiger will be staying with Chelsea since a move away from Stamford Bridge failed to materialise. To date, Rudiger has played 80 times for Chelsea, scoring five goals in the process.
Antonio Rudiger to Fight for Chelsea Place
Antonio Rudiger Facing Stiff Competition at Chelsea
There is an abundance of centre backs in Frank Lampard’s team and Rudiger is some way off the first choice. With Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori and new signing Thiago Silva all above him, there is heavy competition for starting berths.
That is not to say there is no hope, especially as Rudiger was previously a mainstay in the Chelsea team. Not to mention his physical attributes, Rudiger brings a wealth of international experience and is in his prime. This may hold him in good stead as Tomori, 22, is young and somewhat inexperienced as well as Thiago Silva being 36. Rudiger could take a chance to step in and offer a steady hand. The fact he has started the last three games for the German international team also adds credibility to his ability as a player.
Alongside this, his attitude to stay and fight for a place rather than admit defeat is admirable.
Rudiger: ‘I Also Turned Down One or Two Options Myself’
There were options on the table for Rudiger, however, he decided against leaving the Blues, telling the Athletic: “Naturally, I looked at a couple of options in the two weeks before the end of the transfer window. There was a possibility of a loan deal, in order for me to get more game time. Due to many different reasons and the shortage of time, nothing materialised in the end.
The German defender then went onto explain why a move never transpired, saying: “The club didn’t tell me that it was absolutely necessary for me to find a new club and that they definitely didn’t have me in their plans for the next few months.
“I also turned down one or two options myself. I wasn’t prepared to pack it all in simply because I had been left out a few times. I enjoy living in London and like being at Chelsea.”
It will be a long road to redemption for Antonio Rudiger but not an impossible one.
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