Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca speaks to Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti. (Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has linked his return to Chelsea at the end of the season.
German International may be on its way out of the Spanish club in the summer, with a return to Stamford Bridge being mentioned. But former Premier League scout Mick Brown believes he doesn’t fit the type of player Enzo Maresca wants and will likely return to the London club.
On top of that, Chelsea is unlikely to invest in the 79-cap German international as they aim to bring in younger players.
Chelsea, not Antonio Rudiger’s Ken
“Rudiger’s days at Chelsea are over,” he told Football Insider.
“Ancelotti left, I heard a whisper that he could leave Real Madrid.
“He’s always in the fight, he can line up in the phone booth and needs a bit of Chelsea.
“But he is now in his 30s, and that’s not the type of player they’re looking at.
“They want to bring in young players they can develop with their club, whether it’s because experience is worth it or not.
“Rudiger has that experience, but as I say, that’s unlikely because he doesn’t suit the age or type that Maresca wants for him.”
Chelsea need a quality defender
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea decided to invest in a quality defender this summer. They look vulnerable in the back and need to bring upgrades to players like Benoit Badiashile. Wesley Fofana is also struggling with persistent injuries.
Signing a quality central defender must be one of their priorities. Chelsea will need to improve defensively if they want to fight for the trophy next year.
As for Rudiger, he has proven himself in the Premier League and Laliga. He’s unlikely to run out of clubs trying to sign him.