Antonio Rudiger's contract finishes at the end of this season and rumoured wage issues are causing a delay in ongoing talks over a new deal. Carefree Chelsea writers and presenters, Scott Clayton (SC), Jai Mcintosh (JM) and Daniel Childs (DC) - on Thursday mornings Facebook Live discussed the German defender's role at Chelsea so far.
Here's a brief look at their views on the players future at Chelsea...
DC: “We’ve known about this situation for a while now. We know that the reasoning behind going for Jules Kounde in the summer is only because of the player, but because there could also be a couple of players leaving next summer.
“It’s forward planning by Chelsea. You see the emergence of Trevoh Chalobah that’s maybe helped some of that looking at how the squad is going to look in a years time But, we’ve seen reports especially last night from Matt Law (The Telegraph) that things with Rudiger don’t look positive or not as progressive as they are with Christensen for example.
“It looks like Christensen signing that new deal is just a formality. It’s just a matter of signing it off. Which is great news. But, with Rudiger, it’s a lot more difficult and there are European clubs expected to be circling. His amazing form at the minute and obviously with his contract situation there is a possibility of him at least speaking to the clubs in January.
“In terms of Rudiger, I can understand why the clubs are hesitant because despite how amazing Rudiger has been this time last year he looked to be out of the door. I think he basically was in a few games in the Lampard squad at the beginning of last year and he wasn’t a proper first-team player until Tuchel arrived. He’s reached levels under Tuchel that he hasn’t during his Chelsea career.
“I think we can look at Christensen, we can look at Jorginho - several other players who have reached such high levels and it’s great for them but, I can understand why the club is maybe looking at him and going can Rudiger sustain this level over the next couple of year and is he worth a massive pay rise.
“You can understand why Rudiger at the peak of his powers is saying I want to be one of the top paid players and last chance to get a massive contract. It’s a tricky situation and one that has a bit of nuance to it because currently, your instinct is to just hand that contract to Rudiger because he is playing as one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
"I think there is a bigger discussion to be had about the long term future of that position, especially if we are strong on getting Kounde."
JM: “I personally think it’s better to sell earlier than later. I think the club will do that too, Marina will be thinking okay he’s 27, 28 years old asking for - I’m not going to speculate on numbers. But, is it worth doing that when we can invest somewhere else for someone who's here for maybe the next five seasons.”
SC: “In terms of form he definitely deserves to stay right now. If he’s entertaining these moves to PSG and Bayern Munich it is a worry for Chelsea. But the club has a strategy of not giving players of a certain age a long deal.
"Yes, I know that's a bit different with Lukaku whose been given a long deal at 28 years of age. Rudiger turns 29 in March so if he does get a new deal, it’s going to be for two or three years, isn’t it.
“Are the club willing to do that? If Tuchel isn’t around, then what? Based on his form I would say that he deserves a new contract but if Tuchel does leave like the club is used to doing - there is a bit of a question mark. The best time to sell him would be now, as in January. Then let him go on a free transfer, that’s for sure.”
Would you like Antonio Rudiger to stay at Chelsea, past this season? Follow our United On My Mind team members Jai , Scott, Daniel and Renuka on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
