Antonio Rudiger has revealed why he and Chelsea failed to agree on a new contract, with the German defender set to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer. After five seasons at Stamford Bridge, the 29-year-old center-back is leaving the club. He made over 200 appearances and helped Chelsea to win the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
Rudiger has been a talismanic figure for the Blues at times, but no extension to his contract has been agreed upon, and a new challenge with the Liga giants will begin for him in the 2022-23 season.
“Unfortunately, my contract negotiations had already started to get tricky last fall,” Rudiger explained to The Players’ Tribune. “Business is business, but when you don’t hear from the club between August and January, things get complicated. There was a long period of nothing after the first offer.
“You know, we’re not robots. With so much uncertainty about your future, you can’t wait months. Obviously, no one saw the sanctions coming, but other major clubs expressed interest, and I had to make a decision. I’ll stop there because, aside from business, I have nothing negative to say about this club. ”
“Chelsea will always have a special place in my heart. I will always call London home. I arrived here alone and now have a wife and two lovely children. I also got a new lifelong brother named Kova. I’ve won the FA Cup, the Europa League, and the Champions League.
“I leave this club with a heavy heart. I have hundreds of memories that will stay with me forever. It’s meant the world to me. Even with all the challenges, this season has been fun. “
The Blues are now working under restrictions imposed by the UK government as their protracted takeover case continues, with Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich’s assets blocked.
This prevents the team from discussing new contracts or making plans for new signings during the summer transfer window. With a partnership led by Todd Boehly preparing to take control at Stamford Bridge, plenty of movement is expected, although there may be as many departures as arrivals.
Rudiger’s departure has already been confirmed, with fellow defender Andreas Christensen also set to go, with the Denmark international linked with a move to Barcelona.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are thought to have piqued Camp Nou’s interest, while Romelu Lukaku’s future is being questioned just a year after completing a £98 million ($122 million) signing from Inter.
