Antonio Rudiger is out of contract in June and his Chelsea team-mate Timo Werner believes the defender can “choose where he goes” after impressing under Thomas Tuchel
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Chelsea striker Timo Werner has admitted his club and international team-mate Antonio Rudiger can “choose where he goes”.
The German defender, 28, is out of contract at the end of the season and it’s unclear whether he’ll stay at Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich, has rejected a £140,000-a-week renewal offer from the Blues.
He’s currently thought to be earning around £100,000-a-week at Chelsea and could double his wages after a stunning revival under Thomas Tuchel.
Rudiger has been one of the team’s standout performers since Tuchel was appointed as manager 12 months ago, helping the Blues win the Champions League last May.
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As they won’t have to pay a transfer fee, potential suitors will likely offer the player a bumper salary – far higher than Chelsea’s most recent offer – leaving Werner concerned.
“I would be happy if they stay,” Werner told Sky in Germany when asked about the futures of Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.
“They can improve every team. There are still a lot of good central defenders [for other teams to buy]!”
On Rudiger, Werner added: “He plays incredible. As a free agent he could choose where he goes!”
Tuchel has always remained confident about retaining Rudiger beyond this season but hasn’t offered any guarantees.
“Everybody knows but there’s a lot of ‘if’ in your question,” said Tuchel when asked about Rudiger’s future earlier this month. “Let’s wait to see what becomes the reality.
“Of course we are confident. We have things to offer and he is the player he is in a Chelsea shirt and in a Chelsea environment. I think he knows it very well.”
Rudiger added: “I’m enjoying it. You have to see it in chapters. I enjoy this chapter. So far yeah it’s the best part of my career.”
Speaking in November, former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson urged the club to match Rudiger’s and Christensen’s wage demands.
“From a business standpoint, it [letting him go] would be a disaster,” said Johnson.
“Whether the club wants them both there long term is irrelevant because to replace those two players you’re going to have to spend an absolute fortune.
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“Even to give them both a year long deal with the intention of selling them after six months would make more sense than letting them walk out on a free.”
Former Premier League star Dietmar Hamann has also told Rudiger to put pen to paper on a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t see any reason why he should leave Chelsea,” said Hamann in November. “He did OK in Germany early in his career, but he’s become a much better player since moving abroad.
“I think he’s getting a lot better with his game, but I don’t think he’ll be an option for Bayern Munich… if he’s available on a free then there will be a lot of clubs interested.
“He suits the way Chelsea play and I think he’ll stay at the club.”
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