Antonio Rudiger has revealed a chat with Carlo Ancelotti underlined how much Real Madrid wanted to sign him as his Chelsea contract winded down.
The German has left the Blues for nothing after the two parties couldn't agree on terms. He's now penned a bumper deal in the Spanish capital, joining up with the reigning LaLiga and Champions League holders. Rudiger bolsters a star-studded line-up having proven himself in recent years.
Ancelotti is one of the biggest names in management and has long been praised for his calming approach. He sat down with the centre-half to highlight how much he was wanted as he cited the feelings of leading lights at the Bernabeu like Karim Benzema.
He told Marca : "It was a very welcoming conversation. He told me that everyone was very happy to have me at Madrid, and that makes me very happy. It's clear that Ancelotti is one of the people who make Real Madrid very strong, but he isn't the only one.
"There are Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro... He told me they were all very happy and that makes me proud. It also makes me realise that I have done well these last three years and that gives me motivation to do even better at Real Madrid."
Rudiger knows full well about the demands of winning, claiming domestic and European glory during his stint with Chelsea. Few places though have higher expectations than those at Real, where failure often means major changes. The German isn't put off by such challenges though.
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He claimed: "Yes, it's pressure, but it is the history of Real Madrid. They are used to winning and the mentality is that: to win. But their winning mentality goes with my character.
"What I'm going to say that day to the Madridistas and my team-mates is easy for me and I can say it here right now. I will give my heart in every match and in every situation. I can promise that. I'm going to give 100 per cent every day."
A move to Spain will see Rudiger team up once more with Eden Hazard, who left Chelsea back in 2019 but has struggled massively at the Bernabeu. The new Madrid signing though remains hopeful that the Bernabeu can bear witness to the type of quality Rudiger saw in west London.
He added: "I'm very happy to be with Eden again, now at Madrid. I know it's been a tough few years for him, with a lot of injuries and problems, but I still hope Madrid fans can see the Hazard I played with, because he was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world."
