Antonio Rudiger, a Chelsea defender, has revealed the true reasons for his choice to join Real Madrid.
After a period of quiet from Chelsea about a new contract offer, the Germany international defender decided to quit the club.
Rudiger has signed a four-year contract with the Spanish club and will become a free agent at the end of the season.
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Thomas Tuchel, his compatriot and Chelsea manager, has expressed an interest in keeping him at the club, with the Blues reportedly offering to make the 29-year-old the highest-paid defender in the club’s history.
However, the midfielder claims that the West London club took too long to start talks about a new contract, and that months of silence prompted him to leave Stamford Bridge after five years.
Rudiger stated in the Players’ Tribune, “Unfortunately, my contract negotiations had already started to get tricky last fall.”
Business is business, but the matter becomes tricky when you don’t hear from the club from August to January.
“There was a long period of nothing after the first offer. You know, we’re not robots. With so much uncertainty about your future, you can’t wait months.
“Obviously, no one anticipated the sanctions coming, but other big teams expressed interest, and I had to make a decision.” I’ll end it there since, aside from business, I have nothing negative to say about this club.”
“Chelsea will always be in my heart,” Rudiger said of his impending departure. My home will always be in London. I arrived here alone myself and now have a wife and two lovely children.
“With a sorrowful heart, I leave this club.” It’s meant the world to me. Chelsea will always be my name. Rudi, thank you.”
When Thomas Tuchel’s team play their final Premier League encounter of the season on Sunday, the Germany international will seek to make his final impact.
Chelsea has already guaranteed a position in the Premier League’s top four, but a win over Watford on Sunday would secure a third-place finish.