Antonio Rudiger has decided to leave Chelsea this summer. This is not a massive shock if you have been gauging the mood since the beginning of this season. Even as far back as last June, there were suggestions he could have departed before the end of his contract.
But now, football.london understands he has now made his mind up and opted to leave Stamford Bridge. The 29-year-old defender will go on a free transfer, leaving Chelsea's defensive situation looking precarious heading into an already uncertain summer window under new ownership.
The German has been one of the Blues' most important players since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January 2021, but has passed on a new deal which would have made him the highest-paid defender in the club's history. Rudiger was demanding a huge signing-on fee for a new contract along with agents' fees that effectively put the deal out of reach for the club.
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After Chelsea felt the effects of the sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich last month by the UK Government, the club have been unable to discuss new contract. However, the Blues made the offer before the sanctions were dealt, meaning there was an opportunity for Rudiger to accept a deal.
With no guarantee over who will next own the club, Rudiger appears to have opted to move on from the club he signed for in 2017 for £29million from Roma. This is an added blow after reports of Andreas Christensen agreeing to join Barcelona have loomed over the club in recent weeks. And despite club captain Cesar Azpilicueta triggering a clause in his contract that keeps him at Chelsea for another 12 months, the Spaniard could still exit for the Camp Nou like Christensen.
Rudiger has been involved in five trophy wins during his Chelsea career, most notably the Champions League over Manchester City in Porto last May. The defender missed the defeat to Arsenal in midweek and will miss Sunday's clash with West Ham with a minor groin injury.
There will be hopes now he can add a sixth and final honour to close his time in west London on a high in next month's FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley on the 14th of May.
