Tuchel confirms Abramovich sanctions thwarted Rudiger contract plans
Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea “gave everything” to keep hold of Antonio Rudiger before the club were restricted by Roman Abramovich’s UK sanctions.
Rudiger is out of contract at the end of the season and is reportedly close to joining Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Jorginho, Chelsea blushes saved as top four all but secure
The Blues offered the German centre-half a deal to become the club’s highest-paid defender in their history.
However, owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government – a week after putting the club up for sale – due to his alleged ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chelsea were allowed to continue operating under a special license, however, no current players are allowed to renew their contract with the club, putting Rudiger’s future into a huge amount of doubt.
Tuchel has confirmed that the 29-year-old will leave at the end of the season following days of reports suggesting that this is the case.
5 years. 5 major trophies. A true warrior.
Thank you for everything, @ToniRuediger. 💙 pic.twitter.com/W3QISfYfF2
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) April 23, 2022
The German head coach says that Chelsea and himself “gave everything” and could no longer ‘fight’ to renew the defender’s contract due to the sanctions.
“Toni, the situation is that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this in a private talk,” Tuchel told Sky Sports.
“We gave everything – me and the club – but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don’t take it personally. It is his decision.
“He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room.
“The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one and a half years for me.
“We then need to find another solution.”
Despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, a move to the Santiago Bernabeu appears imminent.
