CHELSEA defender Antonio Rudiger has confirmed he will leave the club this summer following months of speculation over his future.
He told Players Tribune: “Chelsea will always be in my heart. London will always be my home.
“I came here alone, and now I have a wife and two beautiful kids. I also have a new brother for life named Kova.
“I have an FA Cup, a Europa League and a Champions League medal. And of course, I have hundreds of memories that will stay with me forever.”
Meanwhile, the Blues will be looking to replace the German and have lined up Sevilla’s Jules Kounde as a replacement.
The Frenchman was linked with a move to Chelsea last summer but it now seems like Thomas Tuchel could get his man.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the Stamford Bridge…
Gilmour returning from Norwich
Relegated Norwich are offloading eight out-of-contract players plus their four loanees – including Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour and Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams.
German midfield star Lukas Rapp helped the Canaries to promotion in 2020-21 but departs along with Josip Drmić, Josh Giurgi, Aston Oxborough, Nelson Khumbeni, Reece McAlear, Solomon Alidor-Hamilton and Olatunde Okeowo.
Scotland ace Gilmour, former England Under-21 defender Williams, Schalke’s Ozan Kabak and Mathias Normann from Russian side Rostov will return to their parent clubs after Saturday’s Prem finale at home to Spurs.
He wants to Cesar his chance to leave
Thomas Tuchel has spoken on why Cesar Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea.
He said: “We had a lot of these talks because very genuinely it felt like he won everything after the Club World Cup, then suddenly given his personal situation I can understand these thoughts that maybe a cycle is at its end.
“Then it is a change of ownership and he played only under this owner in this structure so it maybe increased even his second thoughts about his situation.
“But then his extension kicked in at the same time.”
Kepa set for showdown talks
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he’ll meet Kepa Arrizabalaga for talks over the keeper’s future.
Spaniard Kepa knows Edouard Mendy is firmly implanted as the Blues’ No1.
And although Kepa’s attitude has been praised by Chelsea chiefs, it appears he accepts he might need to move.
Paul-no to Prem move
Soon-to-be free agent Paulo Dybala has reportedly ruled out a move to England as he closes in on a transfer to Inter Milan, writes Joshua Mbu.
Dybala is set to depart Juventus after spending seven years of his club career there.
The Argentine is attracting interest from a host of Europe’s top clubs, with the likes of Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Roma all interested.
Manchester United and Tottenham, who have both been long-term admirers of the forward are also keen on exploring a possible deal.
Christensen pulled out of games ‘a few times’, says Morris
Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen pulled out of games while Frank Lampard was manager, former assistant coach Jody Morris has revealed.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he said: “To be fair we experienced that [pulling out of matches] ourselves when we were here working with Andreas.
“You never know what some players are going through. Whether it be nerves, whether it be something off the pitch.
“We experienced it a few times with Andreas but I don’t think he’s the only player who experienced it.
“He’s probably more honest about that sort of side of it.”
Christensen will leave Chelsea at the end of the season when his contract expires and is expected to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Chelsea ratings vs Leicester – attack
Romelu Lukaku – 7/10
Had a first-half opportunity but took far too long to shoot when played in on goal behind the defence – much to the frustration of Tuchel.
Good hold up play throughout and was a presence up-front but missed the target with a free header following an expert Ziyech cross.
Chelsea ratings vs Leicester – attack
Hakim Ziyech – 7/10
Had an early shot that whistled just past the post and was Chelsea’s main attacking threat throughout.
Was the most energetic of the bunch after missing the FA Cup final but his final ball let him down, as did his finishing.
Christian Pulisic – 5/10
Struggled to get into the game after playing 106 minutes in the cup final on Saturday.
Tried to get onto the ball by playing more centrally in the second half, and it almost paid off when he met Romelu Lukaku’s low cross, yet somehow failed to score from seven yards out.
Chelsea ratings vs Leicester – midfield
N’Golo Kante – 4/10
He was caught on the ball on a number of occasions and looked a little fatigued throughout – a long season catching up with him.
Was rightly substituted in the second half for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who arguably should have started instead given Leicester looked to play on the counter attack.
Jorginho – 6/10
Chelsea dominated possession from start to finish and everything went through the Italian, though he did frustrate the crowd by opting for the safer pass too often.
Needed to find that penetrating pass with Leicester sitting so deep but it did not come.
Chelsea ratings vs Leicester – defence
Thiago Silva – 5/10
Will not be happy with his defending for the goal as he was far too slow to stop Maddison, who took the ball round the Brazilian before firing in.
Had a great chance to atone on the half-hour mark but headed James’ cross over when in acres of space.
Antonio Rudiger – 6/10
Will feel he could have done better with the goal but he was unfortunate that his block landed in the path of Maddison, who was clinical.
He kept Vardy quiet however to ensure he will end his Chelsea career on a high.
Marcos Alonso – 7/10
Caught out for Leicester’s goal by a long ball from goalkeeper Schmeichel.
Redeemed himself by smashing in an equaliser in the 34th minute, catching James’ chip sweetly on the volley.
Chelsea ratings vs Leicester – defence
Reece James – 8/10
Created Chelsea’s equaliser with a great vision and a delightful chip for Marcos Alonso to fire in.
Was as solid as ever in defence too but did not offer enough going forward – even when he was played higher up the pitch after N’Golo Kante went off.
Trevoh Chalobah – 7/10
Almost levelled the match shortly after the Foxes goal with a long-range screamer that Schmeichel tipped over brilliantly.
Tidy in possession and untroubled by either Jamie Vardy or Kelechi Iheanacho – could be a regular starter next season if he continues to improve.
Chelsea ratings vs Leicester
Chelsea failed to lift their FA Cup final hangover despite the best efforts of Reece James and Hakim Ziyech in a 1-1 draw with Leicester.
The Blues defence was caught out in the sixth minute with several players at fault as James Maddison smashed in from outside the box.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side bossed proceedings from then on, enjoying 70 per cent possession.
Marcos Alonso grabbed the equaliser but despite peppering Kasper Schmeichel’s goal in the second half Chelsea were unable to find a winner.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Chelsea display in their penultimate match of the season.
Edouard Mendy – 5/10
Goal came at his near post but Maddison’s powerful finish was a thing of beauty.
Other than that he had very little to do with Brendan Rodger’s side not offering much in attack.
Tuchel opens up on Azpilicueta
Thomas Tuchel has spoken on why Cesar Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea.
He said: “We had a lot of these talks because very genuinely it felt like he won everything after the Club World Cup, then suddenly given his personal situation I can understand these thoughts that maybe a cycle is at its end.
“Then it is a change of ownership and he played only under this owner in this structure so it maybe increased even his second thoughts about his situation.
“But then his extension kicked in at the same time.”
You can see me – Cena at Stamford Bridge with Boehly
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was seen at Stamford Bridge alongside WWE legend John Cena last night
The American is in London checking out his new investment as they round off another busy season.
Boehly was left baffled earlier this month as he saw Chelsea have a goal disallowed in their 2-2 draw with Wolves.
Last night, flanked by Cena, he saw his new team share the spoils following a hard fought 1-1 draw against Leicester.
James Maddison opened the scoring for the visitors after just six minutes, before Marcos Alonso levelled half an hour later.
The point sealed third position with a game to spare, with Tottenham three points behind and requiring an 18-goal swing.
Rudiger says goodbye to the Blues
Antonio Rudiger has posted an emotional goodbye message to Chelsea fans as he prepares to leave the club this summer, writes Dylan Terry.
The 28-year-old German defender looks set to join Real Madrid at the end of the season after Thomas Tuchel confirmed the Blues could not agree a new deal.
And Rudiger, who has been one of Chelsea’s key players over the last 12 months, has now published a final farewell letter to the club’s supporters in which he gushes about team-mate N’Golo Kante.
He insists that everything with the French star is “authentic” and that he is “so polite that he just tells you what you want to hear”.
Rudiger also opened up about returning to the fold after being left on the sidelines for much of Frank Lampard’s time in charge.
He is incredibly grateful for Tuchel giving him a second chance and says that playing in the Champions League final last season was the “pineapple on top of the cake”.
Kounde transfer plans ‘in place’, say reports
Chelsea have “put in place” plans to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde after reaching a verbal agreement, according to reports.
The Blues are set to lose Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for FREE this summer to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
And according to Goal, Chelsea have put plans in place to sign long-term target Kounde from Sevilla as soon as Todd Boehly’s takeover is completed and sanctions end.
The 23-year-old has a verbal agreement in place for a move this summer and wants a move to Stamford Bridge after talks collapsed last summer.
Sevilla are also said to be keen to do a deal as early as possible to allow them to sign a replacement.
The LaLiga outfit want a fee or around £59million for the France international, who can play both centrally and at right-back.
Pulisic ‘unhappy’ at Chelsea
Christian Pulisic is reportedly unhappy with his situation at Chelsea.
And his discontentment with the Blues is starting to become a problem, according to the Mail+.
The news comes after Pulisic’s dad came out to criticise Chelsea’s treatment of his son.
Pulisic had the golden opportunity to be the match-winner last night, but he couldn’t convert from close range.
It won’t effect the table, but he might rue his chance.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
