Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel Talks Heart To Heart With Antonio Rudiger: He Wants To Leave The Club

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the departure of Antonio Rudiger. (Photo: Twitter @ChelseaFC)

JAKARTA - Antonio Rudiger's future at Chelsea has been answered. The German will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

Rudiger's contract with Chelsea will expire in the summer. That means, the former AS Roma player can move to another club on a free transfer.

Certainty about Rudiger's future at Chelsea was confirmed by the manager, Thomas Tuchel. He said the player had conveyed his wish in private talks after Chelsea's 1-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday, April 24.

"The situation is that he wants to leave the club. He told me about this in a private conversation," Tuchel said, quoted by Antara.

"We gave everything - me and the club - but we can't fight anymore for a number of reasons. Without sanctions, we can at least keep fighting, but our hands are tied. We understand his decision."

Rudiger is currently in great demand by many big European clubs. Apart from Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG are also interested in this 29-year-old player.

In fact, reportedly, Rudiger's agent has also met with Barcelona officials. Both parties discussed the possibility of the player who plays as a defender moving to Camp Nou.

"He was a key figure and will remain like that until the end of the season. However, it was disappointing. We will miss him very much. He gave courage in the dressing room. The type that everyone fears, but is good to play," said Tuchel.

"He played 50-55 games at an incredible level. He was a top defender in the last year and a half for me. We then needed to find another solution," added the Chelsea manager.