Celebration at Stamford Bridge as a world-class player returns to Tuchel’s squad at Chelsea
Good news in Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has received a timely and huge boost ahead of his side’s Premier League clash on Thursday against arch rivals, Manchester United, as Antonio Rudiger returned to the team’s training for the game.
The 29-year-old left a big void in the Chelsea defense after he picked up an injury during Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final match against Crystal Palace.
His absence was felt during Chelsea’s home loss to Arsenal as the Gunners ran riot at Stamford Bridge. A couple of individual errors from Andreas Christensen and Malang Sarr was all they needed to exploit to secure all three points.
His services would be needed on Thursday to contain Manchester United’s attack which would be led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Trust Rudiger to always turn up in big matches, and the one against Manchester United won’t be an exemption.
Rudiger’s contract with Chelsea runs out at the end of this season and the German defender is expected to seal a four-year deal with Real Madrid where he would ply his trade next season. It’s obviously a bitter pill to swallow for Chelsea fans, but we all saw it coming.
Sevilla defender, Jules Kounde has been at the top of Chelsea’s list of potential replacements for Rudiger. The Frenchman currently has a strained relationship with his club, Sevilla and he’s exploring the option of joining the European Champions.
It would take some time for Kounde to be able to replace the influence and charisma Rudiger has shown on the pitch and in the dressing room, but it’s understandable that you need to start somewhere. Even Rudiger didn’t attain those heights on his Chelsea arrival.
Danish defender, Andreas Christensen is also expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer as he has also refused to extend his contract with Chelsea. Barcelona is his most likely destination as the La Liga giants want him to be a part of their rebuilding project.
