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Football London
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Danyal Khan

What Antonio Rudiger did for Chelsea vs Plymouth compared to infamous Eden Hazard incident

Chelsea fans have likened what Antonio Rudiger did vs Plymouth to a similar incident involving Eden Hazard in a League Cup tie nine years ago against Swansea City.

Rudiger, 28, is in the middle of trying to get his future sorted out, with Real Madrid, Man United and Juventus all reportedly interested in the centre-back.

The defender's demands have reportedly now gone up to somewhere near the £225,000-a-week mark, which will certainly complicate negotiations further for the club.

However, there is renewed optimism that this situation can be resolved in a positive way, unlike Andreas Christensen's and Cesar Azpilicueta's contract situations.

On the pitch though, and all focus on Saturday afternoon was solely on the defender in question marshalling his back line in the absence of Thiago Silva to an FA Cup fourth round win against League One outfit Plymouth Argyle.

That mission didn't start off well at all with the Cornwall based team taking a shock lead in the 8th minute from defender Macauley Gillesphey who rose above Romelu Lukaku to glance home, to the frustrations and dismay of Chelsea fans on social media.

Contract rebel Azpilicueta had dragged the European champions back into the contest before half-time with his cute flicked finish from a tight angle.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with Chelsea dominating proceedings but Argyle showing signs that they could potentially replicate what Middlesbrough did on Friday night against Manchester United.

Around the 60th minute mark, the 28-year-old showcased the serious intent the Blues had to turn the game on its head and in the process of doing that, replicated a famous moment that drew comparison to what Hazard did all those years ago.

After the ball went out of play, Chelsea's number 2 wrestled opposition midfielder Panutche Camara after the ball went out for a throw in.

Just like that ball boy did all those years ago, Camara tried to keep hold of the ball for as long as possible but Rudiger was having none of it as he pushed the 24-year-old and won the ball back to get the game restarted.

Thankfully, unlike the Hazard incident, not much was made of it and no serious violent conduct took place but the comparisons between the two incidents was certainly a talk on social media.

Here is the best of the reaction to the event that took place near the Shed End in front of the Plymouth fans.

What Antonio Rudiger has been spotted doing after latest £200,000 Chelsea contract snub ((Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))

@Jon_DC91 tweeted: 'Having Hazard Vs Ballboy flashbacks..'

@kamsyandre put: 'Just has to be himself.'

@dukebaby401 loved what they saw: 'Did not mind this one bit. Yellow card to the ball boy for time wasting..'

@kevmcveigh questioned: 'Why didn't the referee book the Plymouth sub for trying to keep the ball off Rudiger there?'

Finally, @rashfordbeans wrote: 'Rudiger and that substitute gave me Eden Hazard and ball boy vibes.'

Despite this incident that certainly lifted the intensity, the Blues couldn't secure the winner in 90 minutes as Steven Schumacher's side valiantly held their own and took the game into extra-time.

The game ended in a 2-1 win after extra-time with Marcos Alonso netting the winning goal, but the Blues still had to ride their luck as Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a penalty before full-time.

Rudiger will certainly have a big role to play in the Blues' Club World Cup campaign that will kick off early next week.

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