Chelsea have identified a replacement for Antonio Rudiger, who is out of contract with the club this summer, according to reports.
Rudiger’s contract situation
Rudiger has become arguably Chelsea’s best central defender under Thomas Tuchel, and would put on yet another superb showing over the weekend versus Norwich.
This marks a stark contrast from the first half of 2020/21, when the stopper had fallen massively out of favour under Frank Lampard.
Despite his return to favour, though, Rudiger’s long-term future at Chelsea has remained up in the air for some time now.
This comes with the German having less than a year remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge.
In August, Rudiger provided an update on his contract situation, and it looked like good news for the Chelsea faithful, as the German confirmed that he had opened talks over extending his deal.
However, we have heard very little when it comes to developments since, despite Rudiger remaining an integral part of Chelsea’s set-up.
Chelsea eye Rudiger replacement
But whilst most Chelsea fans likely want to see Rudiger remain at the club, it appears as though the Londoners have now identified a replacement for the German.
According to journalist Rudy Galetti, Chelsea have identified Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt as the replacement for Rudiger should he indeed depart the club.
It is added that Marina Granovskaia, Chelsea’s director, is said to be in constant contact with De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola, whilst Juventus value the centre-back at €100m:
🚨🔵 Constant contacts between Marina #Granovskaia and Mino #Raiola for Matthijs #DeLigt. #Chelsea have identified the 🇳🇱 player as a replacement for #Rüdiger‘s possible farewell. #Juventus consider the centre-back transferable: ⚪⚫ evaluate him about €100M.🐓⚽ #CFC #Transfers https://t.co/81pHLLn7yw
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) October 28, 2021
Leicester City vs Arsenal betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds
Liverpool vs Brighton betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds
Chelsea betting odds, next game:
Newcastle vs Chelsea odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers
Chelsea’s latest videos
Curlers, Headers and Last-Gasp Winners! | Ft. Kerr, Kirby & more | EVERY Goal So Far This Season!
Missing the Chelsea Women’s team? Look no further! We’ve put together every single goal…
2021-10-28T17:00:09Z
“Black Goalkeepers Can Look Up To Mendy For What He’s Done” | Vigouroux x Mendy | Paving the way
Edouard Mendy met with Leyton Orient goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux in a very open and…
2021-10-28T11:00:01Z
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Chelsea FC | 9 | 20 | 22 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 9 | 21 | 21 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 9 | 16 | 20 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 9 | 6 | 17 |
| 5 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 9 | 0 | 15 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 9 | -4 | 15 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 9 | 1 | 14 |
| 8 | Everton FC | 9 | 1 | 14 |
| 9 | Leicester City | 9 | 0 | 14 |
| 10 | Arsenal FC | 9 | -3 | 14 |
| 11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 9 | 0 | 13 |
| 12 | Brentford FC | 9 | 2 | 12 |
| 13 | Aston Villa | 9 | -2 | 10 |
| 14 | Watford FC | 9 | -5 | 10 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 9 | -3 | 9 |
| 16 | Southampton FC | 9 | -4 | 8 |
| 17 | Leeds United | 9 | -8 | 7 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 9 | -8 | 4 |
| 19 | Newcastle United | 9 | -9 | 4 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 9 | -21 | 2 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 7 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 6 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 4 |
| Aubameyang, Pierre-Emerick | Arsenal FC | 4 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 |
| Firmino, Roberto | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 4 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United | 4 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 |
| Hwang, Hee-chan | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 |
| Sarr, Ismaila | Watford FC | 4 |
| Greenwood, Mason | Manchester United | 4 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 3 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 3 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 3 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 3 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 3 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 3 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 4 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 5 |
| Veltman, Joel | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 4 |
| Mings, Tyrone | Aston Villa | 0 | 4 |
| Skipp, Oliver | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 0 | 2 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 3 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa | 0 | 3 |
| Richarlison | Everton FC | 0 | 3 |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 0 | 3 |
| Cooper, Liam | Leeds United | 0 | 3 |
| Ritchie, Matt | Newcastle United | 0 | 3 |
| Duffy, Shane | Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 3 |
| Moreno, Rodrigo | Leeds United | 0 | 3 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 3 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 3 |
| Laporte, Aymeric | Manchester City | 0 | 3 |
| Saiss, Romain | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 3 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 7 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 4 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 3 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 3 |
| Saint-Maximin, Allan | Newcastle United | 3 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 2 |
| Townsend, Andros | Everton FC | 2 |
| King, Joshua | Watford FC | 2 |
| Ings, Danny | Aston Villa | 2 |
| Benrahma, Said | West Ham United | 2 |
| Gray, Demarai | Everton FC | 2 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Toney, Ivan | Brentford FC | 2 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 2 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 2 |
| Grealish, Jack | Manchester City | 2 |
