Amsterdam (AP) – A giant in stature. Arms outstretched as a clear signal: That’s the way! This is how Antonio Rüdiger stands on the pitch during training for the national team. The 29-year-old is a leader, there’s no doubt about that.
The 29-year-old is struggling with the concept of defense chief, which has been firmly anchored in the German football soul since Franz Beckenbauer’s time, before his 50th international match on Tuesday (8.45 p.m. / ARD) in the Netherlands.
“Every player should make as many arrangements as possible with his teammates at all times. You don’t need a central defense chief for that,” said Rüdiger in the “kicker” before leaving for Amsterdam. Flat hierarchies Self-responsibility in the sense of the team, that’s how Rüdiger was socialized in the DFB-Elf.
Together with Niklas Süle, who is currently injured in Munich and soon to be in Dortmund, he is the defensive heart of national coach Hansi Flick for the World Cup in Qatar. The boundary as to which of the two is the boss is fluid anyway.
Flick “totally happy”
“What I can say is that I’m really happy that we have such a player in our ranks,” said Flick about the Chelsea professional before his anniversary. “He always wants to win.” With captain Manuel Neuer in goal, Rüdiger forms “an axis”, said the national coach.
In the Johan Cruyff Arena, Rüdiger should stop the expected Oranje vortex. Flick relies on the pace of the model athlete. “When you have this speed, it’s always very, very good,” said the DFB head coach. Ruediger was recently declared the fastest player in the English Premier League. 36.7 kilometers per hour were stopped. A hundredth of a second quicker than Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah.
Rüdiger celebrated his debut in the national jersey as a defender for VfB Stuttgart in the 0-0 draw against Poland shortly before the World Cup in May 2014. Three years later he was a permanent member of the young DFB team that won the Confed Cup. The 2018 World Cup was a personal disappointment for Rüdiger with just one appearance. Flick’s predecessor Joachim Löw had him in mind as the man of the future when he noisily sorted out Mats Hummels and Jérôme Boateng three years ago.
Patience pays off
“I never had a problem patiently waiting in line,” said Rüdiger about the competition. In the first competitive game after the heatedly discussed resignation of the ex-world champions, Rüdiger was on the pitch with Matthias Ginter and Thilo Kehrer, as he might have been on Tuesday. In Amsterdam in March 2019 there was a promising 3: 2. But only now has the generation change in the German defense under Flick finally been completed.
“There’s no need to discuss his quality as a defender. It’s absolutely top,” praised Flick. “Toni has the most experience in the team with his 50th game tomorrow. He’s also one of his kind who talks a lot and gives instructions,” said colleague Kehrer.
At Chelsea, Rüdiger helped after a difficult phase of changing coaches to Thomas Tuchel. Under the German coach, the native of Berlin became a regular player again with the Blues. He won the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
And yet the future of the London club, which is reeling from sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich, is more uncertain than ever. Rüdiger’s contract expires in the summer. There are plenty of alternatives. An Internet search for potential buyers shows many hits: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Juventus Turin, Bayern Munich. Defense bosses are in great demand at Europe’s top clubs. And Rüdiger is also available on a free transfer.