Center-back Antonio Rudiger has told Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel that he is still fully committed to the club, despite lack of progress in contract negotiations.
Rudiger was an integral part of the Chelsea team that won the Champions League, but his future is still uncertain as he enters the last 12 months of his current contract. 90 minutes revealed in April that preliminary talks on a new deal had been held, but no progress has yet been made.
Things got a little nervous for Chelsea fans when The Athletic revealed that Rudiger had delayed the talks and is considering his long-term future at the club. Chelsea want to keep the German but do not hesitate to sell him this summer if the alternative loses him for free next year.
In the next twist in this story, Sky Sports News says that Rudiger has personally informed Tuchel that he is fully committed to the club and that he intends to play his football at Stamford Bridge next year.
Rudiger, who turned 28 in March, is perceived as seeing his next contract as perhaps his last chance at a lucrative deal, and therefore wants to carefully consider all his options.
Rudiger has 12 months left on his contract / BSR Agency / Getty Images
According to this latest report, Rudiger would prefer to stay at Chelsea – which he hopes will offer him a new long-term contract. Whether the Blues meet his demands remains to be seen.
It is not a question of Chelsea not valuing Rudiger. Club officials are keen to tie him to a new deal and believe he has more than earned it after playing in the run to Champions League glory, but his age does not work in his favor.
The Blues are known for their reluctance to engage players approaching the age of 30, and although the strict one-year extension rule has expired, lucrative long-term deals are not awarded to aging players at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel wants Rudiger to stay / BEN STANSALL / Getty Images
With reports suggesting he is looking at a four-year deal, Chelsea would need to commit to the German until he is 32 years old. It is obviously not out of the question, but it is also not as simple as it may be.
Talks are expected to resume after Euro 2020, when Chelsea will be eager to see a quick solution. The Blues will be reluctant to let him start the season on a valid deal and want plenty of time to replace him if needed.
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