Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger reveals Thomas Tuchel's 'secret' to success

Antonio Rudiger says Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s secret to success at Stamford Bridge is his honest approach.

The German coach took over the reins at the west London club in early 2021 following the sacking of Frank Lampard.

Former Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund manager Tuchel guided the Blues to Champions League glory and a top-four finish in the Premier League during his first season.

Although their title challenge has faltered this season, Tuchel’s side won the Club World Cup earlier this month and face Liverpool in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday.

Speaking to the PA news agency Rudiger, who has flourished under Tuchel, was effusive in his praise of his manager.

‘I think Thomas’ secret is that he’s just honest. He’s just honest with how he goes about things,’ said Rudiger.

‘He demands a lot, but that’s normal. This is high, high quality football and we want to be successful.

‘So if you want to be successful you have to be honest, you have to be straightforward in the way of working, and application to the cause.

‘A coach is a general, he has his way and at the end of the day as players we have to do our best to follow.

‘What he has achieved since he’s been here speaks for itself.’

Centre-back Rudiger has warned his Chelsea teammates that they have to match Liverpool’s intensity at Wembley this weekend and cannot just simply try and defend against their ‘brutal’ attack.

‘We tend to perform very well in big games on big occasions. Sunday is a massive, massive match against a great, great opponent,’ added Rudiger.

‘They are in big form, but it’s a final, it’s one game and you never know what’s going to happen, both teams can hurt each other.

‘You have to match their high-intensity football. That’s why