Rüdiger is leaving on a free transfer
Rüdiger was able to “blues” left with coach Thomas Tuchel on a free transfer after his contract expired in the summer. The Premier League club said goodbye to Rüdiger on social networks with a collage and the words: “So many memories. Thanks for everything!”
The internationals Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are still under contract at Chelsea. Rüdiger thanked him on Twitter after the end of the season and wrote: “This club will always be special to me.”
Via Rome and London to Madrid
The 50-time national player switched from AS Roma to London in the summer of 2017. With the “Blues” he won the FA Cup, the Europa League, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Tuchel had recently declared: “The club and I gave everything but we couldn’t keep fighting because of the sanctions.” By sanctions, Tuchel meant freezing the assets of billionaire Russian oligarch and ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Meanwhile, a consortium around the US businessman Todd Boehly took over the club.
Tuchel: “A key figure”
Tuchel made it clear that Rüdiger’s farewell was “not taken personally” – but it was “disappointing. He’s a key figure, we’ll miss him a lot. He instills courage in the dressing room. He’s the guy everyone’s afraid of, someone who plays 50-55 games at an outstanding level.”.