Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Antonio Rudiger will leave the club at the end of the season.
The defender, who is approaching the end of his contract, has been linked with several top clubs in Europe including Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 1-0 win against West Ham on Sunday, Tuchel confirmed the German is set to leave Stamford Bridge.
“We gave everything – me and the club – but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don’t take it personally. It is his decision.
“He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room.
“The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one-and-a-half years for me. We then need to find another solution.”
The 29-year-old was notably absent from the squad against the Hammers but Tuchel was quick to reveal the reason why.
“He’s injured. No concerns from him. It’s a groin and in the other leg a bit hamstring. He is somebody who plays through pain anyway. It’s not even an injury and he feels insecure. He’ll come back to training on Tuesday ahead of Thursday.
“He has no doubts and he made no doubts that he will play until the end of the season. This is what he did from day one and this is what he’ll do for the last minute.”
When asked whether the club would be able to find a suitable replacement for the defender, the Blues boss admitted it would be hard given the sanctions affecting the club.
“In the moment not, because of the sanctions. Hopefully the sanctions will be the past.
“We had a connection from day one and he deserves my full support. I’m just happy to have had the chance to coach him in the team and the club did as well.
We had offers, big offers and the club tried everything but we cannot fight anymore. We have the sanctions, we can’t continue. It is what it is.
“It would be ideal [for sanctions to be lifted before the transfer window] but even if we wish for it, you can’t pull grass for it to grow faster.
We have to deal with what the reality is. The sanctions are still in place and the situation is not cleared for next season. We try to focus on the last weeks.”
Rudiger has revived his Chelsea career under Tuchel since the former PSG boss took over at the club. Since then, they have won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup together.
Chelsea finding a replacement for Rudiger will be no easy task with or without the sanctions as he has proved to be defensive mainstay for the Blues.
The Blues are also set to lose Andreas Christensen whose contract also expires in the summer and who is rumoured to already have a pre-contract agreement with Barcelona.
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