{"id":5404,"date":"2017-07-09T11:20:11","date_gmt":"2017-07-09T15:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=5404"},"modified":"2017-07-09T19:05:05","modified_gmt":"2017-07-09T23:05:05","slug":"chelsea-sign-center-back-antonio-rudiger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2017\/07\/09\/chelsea-sign-center-back-antonio-rudiger\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea Sign Centre-Back Antonio Rudiger"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea completed the signing of German centre-back Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma today for \u20ac33m with \u20ac5m in add-ons. Reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano<\/a>\u00a0of Sky Italy suggested a fee of \u20ac33m with \u20ac5m in add-ons earlier this week. The German international completed his medical after returning from Germany’s Confederations Cup campaign.<\/p>\n

Chelsea Sign Centre-Back Antonio Rudiger<\/h2>\n

Rudiger was a crucial part of the Roma backline last season. Comfortable in either a three or a two, as well as the ability to play at right-back, Rudiger fits Antonio Conte’s billing. In AS Roma’s “The Szczesny Show<\/a>” YouTube series, Rudiger stated his preferred position as the left of a three.<\/p>\n

On Chelsea’s radar in 2016 prior to a cruciate ligament rupture, he fills the squad places left by ex-captain John Terry and Nathan AkeHaving recovered from his injury to make 25 appearances in Rome this season, Rudiger bolsters an already title-winning back five at Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Where does he fit?<\/h2>\n

Given his versatility, he allows for Chelsea to swap between a back four and five in the same way as Cesar Azpilicueta. However, the obvious fit is at left centre-back. Cahill may be club captain, but with obvious holes in his game he may be usurped this season. Add in the additional fixtures and Rudiger just makes sense.<\/p>\n

At 24 years old, with a very reasonable fee in the current market, he ticks a few boxes on the Chelsea board checklist. He adds first team quality; has resale value; is versatile, physically dominant, and technically proficient. It is a good fit. Chelsea now have five centre-backs for three spots heading into preseason. With rumours of Leonardo Bonucci and Virgil Van Dijk<\/a> still swirling, Rudiger might not be the last addition Chelsea make.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n