Antonio
Rudiger has told Thomas Tuchel he is committed to remaining at Chelsea next
season, even though the club have not yet opened talks with the defender
over a new contract.
Rudiger has just one year remaining on the contract he signed with Chelsea
when he arrived from Roma in the summer of 2017, and a number of clubs in
England and Europe have contacted his representatives to enquire about his
situation.
The German centre-back - who has started both of his country's games at Euro
2020 so far - established himself as a regular in Tuchel's side following
his countryman's arrival as head coach in January.
He enjoyed a hugely impressive second half of the season and helped Chelsea
to win the Champions League and finish in the top four of the Premier
League.
However, Rudiger is currently set to be a free agent at the end of the
2021/22 season, and can sign a pre-contract agreement with a club outside of
England from January next year.
The 28-year-old is understood to be keen to sign a new long-term contract at
Stamford Bridge, but is willing to see out the final 12 months of his deal
and leave for free next summer if an offer is not forthcoming.
Chelsea were in the process of extending Rudiger's deal ahead of the January
transfer window, in order to protect his value ahead of a loan move.
Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan were all keen to sign the
defender, who had fallen out of favour under Tuchel's predecessor, Frank
Lampard.
However, Lampard was sacked in January and replaced by Tuchel, and Rudiger
opted to turn down any proposed loan moves in order to stay at Chelsea and
fight for his place.
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