The mission to replace Antonio Rudiger this summer has commenced.
Chelsea's No.2, who has arguably been their player of the season, is edging ever closer to joining Real Madrid after his impressive outing against Los Blancos in the Champions League convinced the higher-ups in the Spanish capital to go full out on trying to secure his signature as a free agent. Despite the Blues' best efforts to tie down the German to a new deal - one that would have made him the best-paid defender at the club - Tuchel has confirmed that Rudiger will leave the club.
"Toni, the media is on it," Tuchel stated. "The situation is that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this is in a private talk. We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions, we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.
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"He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room. The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one and a half years for me. We then need to find another solution."
He added in his post-match press conference: "We had big offers for him and the club tried everything. But for some weeks, we can't fight anymore. We can't continue. He has a groin injury and, in the other, a hamstring. He is someone who plays through pain anyway and is used to it. It's muscle pain, huge discomfort, and he feels insecure because he is not used to muscle injuries."
It has been reported by The Telegraph that the new owners will look to supply Tuchel with two new signings once the elongated takeover goes through. Jules Kounde is understood to be one of the names that are set to be heavily pursued in the summer with Andreas Christensen and even Cesar Azpilicueta on the cusp of joining Rudiger through the Stamford Bridge exit door once the FA Cup final against Liverpool draws to a close.
Internal options like Levi Colwill could be recalled to be given a rare first-team spot as a reward for his top performances in the Championship. But despite Kounde still seeming nailed on to be the top target, other options are still being considered.
One in particular is Josko Gvardiol. According to Sky Germany, the Chelsea manager is a huge fan of the RB Leipzig centre-back. Gvardiol is currently happy in Germany and it has been reported that there is currently no contact at any level between the west Londoners and Leipzig due to the ongoing sanctions.
The 20-year-old started his career at Croatian side NK Tresnjveka before being snapped up by the Dinamo Zagreb youth system in September 2010. After more than nine years of learning his trade in the youth system in Zagreb, the centre-half made his debut for the first team in 2019.
He made 52 appearances for the Croatian giants before being purchased for around £17million in the summer of 2021 by Leipzig. Gvardiol has only made 42 appearances so for the Bundesliga side, and due to the fact he only signed last season, Chelsea may have to double the £17million fee Timo Werner's former club splashed out on the defender.
Transfermarkt values Mateo Kovacic's international teammate at £27million, and with the player who is under contract until 2026 making 10 appearances and grabbing a goal for his country, it's no wonder why Tuchel is a big fan. His defensive stats this season display why he is rated so highly. As per FBRef.com, Gvardiol ranks highly amongst other Bundesliga defenders when it comes to pressures applied per game- 11.78, coupled with a few other metrics such as tackles per 90 (2.07), interceptions per 90 (3.34) and successful blocks per 90 (2.07).
Where he doesn't rank too well against the likes of Niklas Sule and Dayot Uppamecano respectively comes in the form of clearances per 90 (2.90) and aerials won per 90 (2.49). With Kounde also not having the best aerial ability, that may be of some concern to Chelsea fans who will be demanding about the quality of the defence following the exit of two experienced and quality defenders in Christensen and Rudiger.
Can Chelsea deal with Leipzig once more like they did with Werner successfully to secure a player that has Chelsea fans intrigued?
Chelsea fans- how many centre-backs do the club need to sign in the summer and who would be your pick to replace the outgoing Antonio Rudiger? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
