Chelsea officials have ‘growing’ fear over Antonio Rudiger amid contract impasse

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Chelsea officials are growing increasingly fearful over Antonio Rudiger’s ongoing contract saga, according to reports. Rudiger’s current deal at Chelsea expires in the summer, meaning he will be able to negotiate freely with other clubs from January onwards.

The Germany international joined Chelsea from Roma in 2017 and has developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League under Thomas Tuchel.

But according to a report in The Telegraph, at present there has been no progress on a new contract for Rudiger, leaving Blues officials sweating.

The 28-year-old is said to want a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week, while the length of his contract is also said to be a problem.

Rudiger turns 29 in March and the Blues are wary of offering the central defender a contract spanning over several years.

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But as time goes on, Chelsea will inevitably become more likely to budge as they bid to keep hold of their star defender at Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger won’t be short of offers though, with Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus all linked with moves.

A return to Germany is also said to be reportedly on the cards, with Bayern Munich also said to be interested in signing Rudiger.

When asked recently about his contract, Rudiger was quick to downplay the situation and insisted he’s happy at Chelsea.

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“The most important thing is that I feel happy here,” Rudiger told The Guardian last month.

“I think if people look at it, they can see I’m happy. About the contract situation, I talk with the club. This is for nobody’s ears. It was how I said it would be after the Euros – there would be talks.

“There was a talk between Marina [Granovskaia, a Chelsea director] and my agent. We have the situation where we are at now and I have nothing to do with all the speculation.

“This is not in my mind. I’m focused on what I’m doing because this is why I wake up every morning.”

Rudiger was also full of praise for Tuchel, who gave him a new lease of life when he took over the managerial post from Frank Lampard in January.

“Tuchel gave me new life,” Rudiger said.

“I wouldn’t say he said: ‘You have to be the biggest speaker in the dressing room.’ I’m not like this. I like to show everything on the pitch. He told me what he expects – my natural game: to be aggressive, to be a leader.”

But Rudiger is not the only Chelsea defender whose contract is set to expire next summer.

Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are among those yet to commit to a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium in the first game back following the international break and the Blues will be hoping for some progress in contract negotiations between now and then.

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