CHELSEA will open contract talks with Antonio Rudiger after the Euros following his resurgence under Thomas Tuchel.
The German, 28, has been sensational since returning to Chelsea’s XI in the wake of Frank Lampard’s January sacking.
The Blues finished fourth in the table, having looked destined to miss out on a Champions League spot.
They are also in this year’s final against Manchester City, who they face on Saturday.
And Chelsea also suffered a narrow FA Cup final defeat to Leicester over a week ago.
Rudiger’s current contract expires in 2022, which could see him attract interest from other clubs.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
However, Chelsea are ready to hand the ex-Roma man improved terms on a fresh deal after Tuchel praised his performances.
The Blues boss said: “Nothing is better than what he is doing for a new contract.
“If he wants to have a new contract he has our full support to stay at the club.
“He is speaking with his performances. He has been amazing since day one.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
And Rudiger says he would be delighted to extend his Stamford Bridge stay.
The centre-back told Kicker: “That’s nice (to hear) and I’m happy too.
“You always make your decisions to some extent dependent on the coaching staff, but in the long term you can never rely on them anyway.
“After the European Championships, we can talk.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s European final against City, Rudiger added: “City will have the ball more often that we do, we know that.
“But in the back row there are more or less direct duels. Every defender should have the courage to play one-on-one duels.
“Surely, Gundogan, Foden, Mahrez, De Bruyne – you can’t give them all a lot of space.
“If we don’t get high into midfield pressing and play the balls to the top, then you have to work hard and, above all, be willing to suffer.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
