Antonio Rudiger made just one appearance in Chelsea's first 15 games of the Premier League season as the Germany defender fell out of favour with Frank Lampard; Germany international thriving under Thomas Tuchel and says he wants a contract extension
Tuesday 16 March 2021 21:12, UK
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has revealed he was "close" to joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window and also spoke to Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho about a move to Spurs.
Having been a first-team regular during Frank Lampard's first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, Rudiger found himself out of favour to begin the current campaign, making just one appearance in Chelsea's first 15 Premier League games.
There was intense speculation that the Germany international would depart before the summer transfer window closed in October, but he remained and fought his way back into the starting XI before Lampard was sacked in January, and has impressed since Thomas Tuchel's appointment.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, the 28-year-old said he wants to seal a new contract at Stamford Bridge, but revealed there were two clubs that he could have joined last year - PSG, who Tuchel was in charge of at the time, and Tottenham.
"I was close (to leaving)," Rudiger said. "There were really like two teams, maybe one team I was considering, that was PSG to be honest.
"There was (a) call also with Mourinho, but this is something at the end of the day that didn't happen, and with Tuchel also, (but it) didn't happen.
"I was upset of course because I knew my situation and wouldn't play that often."
Rudiger has played a key role as Tuchel has gone unbeaten in his first 12 games in charge at Chelsea, with just two goals conceded in that time.
The centre-back's current contract with the club expires in 2022, and he appears to be keen to secure an extension.
"Even at the beginning of the season when things didn't go my way, I was always calm, like I am now," Rudiger said.
"At the end of the day, I cannot give myself a contract. So that's why I have to wait to see what happens.
"Whatever happens I love being at Chelsea, so Chelsea will always be my priority number one.
"Everyone, me and the club know how much I like this club, so it's down to the people who make these types of decisions.
"At the moment for me, it's to concentrate on important matches and targets. The rest, I think I'm sure we will resolve it."
Rudiger was on the bench for Chelsea's opening game of the season at Brighton, but then found himself left out of Lampard's matchday squad for four consecutive games, something he admits took him by surprise.
Shortly after Lampard's dismissal in January, Rudiger dismissed suggestions that he had played a role in the dismissal, with reports having claimed that he had encouraged the Chelsea hierarchy to change the head coach.
"I was shocked, shocked is the wrong word, not really shocked. Some things I saw coming, obviously, but then I was not in the squad, and this I didn't see coming; but at the end of the day I took it on the chin," Rudiger said.
"Then I had (a) talk with the ex-coach, with Lampard, and all of a sudden I was back in the team, on the bench.
"Then I also had a couple of games and I just worked my way back. The last games of his reign I was on the pitch.
"And obviously things are going well for me I'm very happy about it,
"But to be honest I always felt well in the club. They treated me nice, especially upstairs from the board, nobody told me you should leave, neither on the board nor Frank Lampard.
"The transfer didn't happen, the loans didn't happen, but also no one in the club told me I should leave."
