Antonio Rudiger has been level with Ruben Dias as the Premier League ’s best defender since Thomas Tuchel took over at Chelsea, according to Rio Ferdinand.
Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge to replace Frank Lampard in January has coincided with an upturn in form for Chelsea.
The German coach led the Blues to Champions League glory in May and the arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan has seen the club emerge as genuine Premier League title contenders this season.
Rudiger has been one of the beneficiaries of Tuchel’s arrival, turning from a fringe player who was linked with a move away under Lampard to a key player at the club.
The 28-year-old has started both of Chelsea’s games this season and Ferdinand thinks he has been as impressive as Manchester City ’s standout defender Dias.
"Frank’s respectful and I think he’s honest enough to know and would say Tuchel has done an amazing job," the former Manchester United centre-back said on his YouTube channel FIVE while discussing Lampard’s legacy at Chelsea.
"But at the same time I’m sure Frank’s sitting there thinking, 'well I didn’t see these certain players performing like this when I was there'.
"But then it’s about Frank looking at himself, looking at his tenure there, did he approach things the right way.
“I’m sure he’s doing all this, he’s looking at, 'Could I have handled this situation better, could I have handled that player better?'
"That’s what Frank will be going through and he’ll be looking to make sure he rights the wrongs from his time at Chelsea.
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"But you can’t do anything but respect and pay homage to what Tuchel has done.
"Look at Rudiger, he’s arguably since Tuchel has been there [at Chelsea], he’s been the best defender in the Premier League.
“Him or [Ruben] Dias in that time. He’s been unbelievable, he’s like an animal.”
Dias won the Premier League’s player of the year award last season after leading Man City to the title under Pep Guardiola.
The Portuguese international joined City from Benfica last summer for £65million, immediately paying back his transfer fee by helping his side keep 15 clean sheets in his 32 Premier League appearances.
Rudiger’s form is set to be rewarded with a new contract, with Sky Sports reporting that his representatives are in negotiations with Chelsea.
The Germany international is in the final year of his current deal and would be able to talk to other clubs in January if he does not renew.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are both interested in his services, while Tottenham and AC Milan were linked with him last year when his future at Chelsea was uncertain.
