Antonio Rudiger has revealed his role in convincing Timo Werner to join Chelsea.
After weeks of speculation, the Blues confirmed the signing of the 24-year-old Germany international last Thursday after paying his £47.5million release clause at Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
Werner had been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, however, the Reds decided not to go in for the forward and it is the west London outfit who have pounced for his signature.
He becomes the club's second signing ahead of the summer transfer window, with Hakim Ziyech set to arrive at Stamford Bridge on July 1 from Ajax.
Rudiger has played alongside Werner at club as well as at international level down the years and has admitted that he spoke to his compatriot a lot during the lockdown.
"I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time," Rudiger told the club's official website. "We spoke a lot during the lockdown and he told me he was interested in coming to England.
"Of course then I did my bit, what I had to do.
"I would say he’s a quiet, humble guy, always ready to do better. I hope he adapts very quickly when he comes because as we all know this competition is different than others."
With 32 goals to his name across all competitons for RB Leipzig this season, Werner could be the signing that helps Chelsea mount a title challenge next season.
And in terms of how head coach Frank Lampard can unlock Werner next season, Rudiger has raised similarities to Leicester City's Jamie Vardy.
"Like everyone, I’m very excited that he’s chosen Chelsea and I’m looking forward to working with him," the defender added. "I’ve known him since he was 17 and he did very good in the past few years.
"He can be very important for us.
"His development was just "wow". In his first season, everything was new for him in men’s football but then he started scoring more goals and of course with that comes confidence. He had very good coaches who believed in him and worked with him.
"He’s a really big threat to defenders. RB Leipzig is a more counter-attacking team but in terms of attacking the defensive line, he’s similar to Vardy.
"He has a lot of pace and if the defender makes a mistake and loses the ball, then he goes!’
