Transfer Centre

Antonio Rudiger keen for new Chelsea contract?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 14 February 2021

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger seemingly hints to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy that he is keen to open discussions over a new contract.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has hinted that he wants to sign a new contract at the London outfit.

The former Roma man struggled for consistent game time during the Frank Lampard era, but since the arrival of his compatriot Thomas Tuchel, Rudiger has starred in the Chelsea defence.

The centre-back remained at Stamford Bridge over the last two transfer windows despite being linked with a move elsewhere, and with his current deal set to expire in 2022, he has seemingly sent a message to the Chelsea hierarchy indicating that he wants to stay on.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Rudiger said: "Inside myself, I was always calm and relaxed, I'll be very honest. I was not going crazy because I was not playing at the beginning and when you're not in the squad, you think 'oh wow, what's happening?

"But then suddenly I was back in the team and got some games. From that moment on, my head was 'I'm staying here at Chelsea and trying to fight for my spot'. In the last games of Frank Lampard, I was featuring even more.

"Lampard in or out, I would have stayed anyway. The thing is I cannot give myself a new contract. The talks have to come from the board, from Marina [Granovskaia], I'm very calm when it comes to that."

Rudiger has played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's last six Premier League games, including all four since Tuchel took the reins in the English capital.