Enlarge image
Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger (front) in a tackle with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (pictured January 2022)
Photo:
David Klein / dpa
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed media reports that German international Antonio Rüdiger wants to leave Chelsea in the summer.
"He informed me in a personal conversation a few days ago," Tuchel told Sky Sports on Sunday after Chelsea's 1-0 win over West Ham United.
"Of course we're disappointed."
The Athletic and Sky had previously reported.
29-year-old Rüdiger's contract with the Champions League winners expires in the summer and he can leave the Premier League club for free.
"I have the feeling that we have given everything for several months, I personally and also the club," said Tuchel.
"Now we've reached a situation where we can't fight (for him) anymore because of the sanctions."
The defense chief of third in the table has been associated with intentions to change for months.
"Our hands have been tied for weeks"
Due to its owner Roman Abramovich's proximity to Russian President Vladimir Putin (read more here), Chelsea was sanctioned by the British government after Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine began.
Chelsea are currently not allowed to make player transfers or engage in contract negotiations.
The club is for sale.
"Otherwise we could have at least continued fighting," said Tuchel.
“Our hands have been tied for weeks.
I don't know what would have happened, but that's his decision.
It's not nice for us, but we don't take it personally."
Tuchel and Rüdiger are said to have a good relationship with each other.
Tuchel had bet on Rüdiger, who switched to Chelsea in 2017 and had previously hardly played a role under coach Frank Lampard.
Under Tuchel, Rüdiger developed into the undisputed regular player, together they won the Champions League last season.
He was missing from the squad against West Ham due to injury.
According to media reports, Rüdiger's advisor is said to have recently negotiated a change with top clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Even at FC Bayern, after the departure of national player Niklas Süle in the summer, there was speculation about Rüdiger as a new signing.
ngo/dpa
