ANTONIO RUDIGER faces a dilemma over his Chelsea future amid interest from Tottenham.
Spurs are turning to the defender as an alternative to Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar to boost their defence this season.
Antonio Rudiger has slipped dramatically down the pecking order with Chelsea, alerting the interest of London rivals SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has long been a top Tottenham target, but Antonio Rudiger might be a more accessible optionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But a loan deal for German Rudiger may also mean him signing a contract extension at Stamford Bridge.
Rudgier, 27, has two year left on his current deal and will soon become an even more attractive proposition as his contract winds down.
But Chelsea’s standard policy is to get loan players leaving the club to sign improved terms and then make the loaning club pay the full wages.
They did it with striker Michy Batshuayi just a few weeks ago with his temporary move to Crystal Palace.
But Rudiger has fallen way down the pecking order under boss Frank Lampard this season and has been dumped from three of the last four squads.
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The signing of veteran Brazilian superstar Thiago Silva, who made his debut on Saturday at West Brom, has not helped his cause.
Rudiger will have to decide whether it is worth committing his future to a club where he is struggling for first team action or wind down his contract in the hope of a getaway.
The bitter rivalry between Spurs and Chelsea is another sticking point but Lampard admits he does need to trim his squad.
He has signed a total of seven players which also includes emerging centre half Malang Sarr, who is set to be loaned out to aid his progression.
Rudiger was a mainstay of the Chelsea defence last season but shaky performances towards the end of the campaign saw his standing drop in the eyes of the manager this term.
Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger appears to have been unsettled by losing his regular place at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The German international was not helped by suffering a niggling groin injury in a freak accident at Wolves last September when he slipped on a metal plate beside the touchline while retrieving the ball for a throw in.
Meanwile, Lampard’s bust-up with left Marcos Alonso has taken a new twist.
The left back was given a severe dressing down by his boss for heading off to the team bus to watch the second half of Saturday’s game after being subbed.
It has emerged that as well as feeling like he was taking all the blame for the poor first-half performance at West Brom, the row also involves keeper Kepa.
Alonso is unhappy with Lampard’s treatment of his big pal and fellow Spaniard.
A source said: ‘All three of Chelsea’s Spanish players are very close and Marcos is unhappy with the way Kepa gets treated.”
Kepa has been repeatedly dropped in the last few months and Chelsea have now bought a third keeper – Edouard Mendy.
Lampard did come out in support of Kepa earlier this week in light of recent criticism from outside.
Alonso now thinks his future may lie elsewhere but is also aware that there is less than a week left of the transfer window.
Lampard signed £50m left back Ben Chilwell, who is set to become first choice now.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
