Ancelotti jokes he’s never heard of Chelsea star after transfer question

Joe Williams
Carlo Ancelotti speaks about Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti has kept his cards close to his chest over reports that Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will join Real Madrid this summer.

The Germany international is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season and Blues boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed recently that the centre-back will leave the club.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insisted earlier this week that Rudiger was on the verge of signing a deal with La Liga giants Real Madrid.

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When asked by beIN Sports about speculation surrounding Rudiger on Tuesday night, Ancelotti smiled and said: “Who is this?

Before adding: “He’s a Chelsea player, he’s still a Chelsea player. I cannot say nothing about this.”

Tuchel revealed on Sunday that Rudiger will be leaving the club and praised the centre-back for his “brilliant” work and performances at the Premier League club.

“We fought hard,” Tuchel said. “I fought hard on a personal level. We made big offers to him, and the club tried everything.

“But for some weeks we cannot fight any more because we have the sanctions. We cannot adjust. We cannot continue, and so it is what it is.

“He deserves my full support because he delivered incredible performances right until today. I’m just happy that I had the chance to coach him and to have him in the team. Because he was nothing but brilliant.”

Real Madrid lost 4-3 to Manchester City on Tuesday night in a seven-goal thriller and Ancelotti is hoping their fans can make the difference at the Bernabeu in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

“It is a defeat that leaves us alive in the second leg,” Ancelotti said.

“We have to be better in our defensive aspect but I believe we are able to create problems for them also. Similar game? It’s really difficult to have and to see this open game as it was tonight. It will be a different game.

“Of course Manchester City has the advantage, we have to consider this. Not a big advantage. We hope that our supporters can help us to play better and try to go to the final.”

 

Chelsea Antonio Rüdiger

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