Antonio Rudiger is reportedly not ready to hold talks with Chelsea over a new contract with the club. The Athletic are reporting that the Blues want to open discussions over extending the defender’s stay at Stamford Bridge, but that Rudiger is unwilling to begin negotiations until after this summer’s European Championships.
The 28-year-old joined Chelsea in a £31 million move from Roma in 2017 and has only 15 months to run on his existing contract.
Antonio Rudiger Not Ready for Chelsea Contract Talks
Defender Almost Left in Last Summer’s Transfer Window
Rudiger’s Chelsea future was in doubt under former boss Frank Lampard, who often left the German international out of his matchday squads during his tenure.
As such, the centre-back revealed after the first leg of his side’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid that he was close to leaving Stamford Bridge last summer. Rudiger was of interest to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain – then-managed by Lampard’s Chelsea successor Thomas Tuchel – and did consider leaving for the French capital.
Additionally, Rudiger also held talks with José Mourinho over a sensational switch to Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Neither move ever materialised, and the defender is now enjoying an extended spell in the side under new manager Tuchel.
Rudiger is Happy at Stamford Bridge
Although Rudiger is currently not interested in negotiations over a new contract, it should be stated that he is happy and settled at Chelsea. Speaking to the media before the Premier League side secured their passage into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Rudiger described the prospect of extending his Chelsea stay as “priority number one” – but only when the time is right.
To date, Rudiger has made 136 appearances for Chelsea. 12 of those have come in the first 13 matches of Tuchel’s reign at the club as Rudiger’s compatriot enjoys a so-far unbeaten start to life at Stamford Bridge.
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