Antonio Rudiger has decided to leave Chelsea this summer. This is not a massive shock if you have been gauging the mood since the beginning of this season. Even as far back as last June, there were suggestions he could have departed before the end of his contract.
But now, football.london understands he has now made his mind up and opted to leave Stamford Bridge. The 29-year-old defender will go on a free transfer, leaving Chelsea's defensive situation looking precarious heading into an already uncertain summer window under new ownership.
The German has been one of the Blues' most important players since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January 2021, but has passed on a new deal which would have made him the highest-paid defender in the club's history. Rudiger was demanding a huge signing-on fee for a new contract along with agents' fees that effectively put the deal out of reach for the club.
