Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger planning talks with Blues over his future
Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger has committed to contract talks after Euro 2020.
The German has been a mainstay at the back under new boss Thomas Tuchel having previously fallen out with predecessor Frank Lampard.
Rudiger was initially tipped to leave Stamford Bridge in January, but his countryman’s arrival has given him a new lease of life in West London.
That’s not to say the 28-year-old’s time under Tuchel has been without incident.
In April, Rudiger was removed from training after getting into a scrap with keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Tuchel was typically nonchalant at the time, insisting: “You honestly don’t want to be in a fight with Toni Rudiger, with Cesar Azpilicueta or Mateo Kovacic.”
Since then, Rudiger has been irreplaceable at the heart of Chelsea’s defence, helping the team to FA Cup and Champions League finals, as well as earning a Champions League spot in the Premier League.
Despite being consistently linked with PSG captain Marquinhos, the Blues see Rudiger as a crucial part of the team’s defence going forward.
Speaking earlier this month, Tuchel said: “Nothing is better than what he is doing for a new contract. If he wants to have a new contract he has our full support to stay at the club.
"He is speaking with his performances. He has been amazing since day one.”
Rudiger has now responded to Tuchel's comments, telling Kicker: “That's nice and I'm happy too.
“You always make your decisions to some extent dependent on the coaching staff, but in the long term you can never rely on them anyway.
“After the European Championships, we can talk.”
The centre-back will be representing Germany in this summer’s Euros, being given the No.2 shirt by Joachim Lowe in the manager’s last tournament as national team coach.
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