Chelsea: Tuchel won't drop £29m star set for Stamford Bridge exit

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has a closer relationship with Antonio Rudiger than he does with Andreas Christensen and will continue playing him until the end of the season, claims Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The 29-year-old has failed to commit to the west London club by not extending his expiring contract, but Brown expects Tuchel to stick with him due to his love for the player.

Rudiger is expected to join Real Madrid when his current deal at Chelsea runs out in June.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted at the end of Los Blancos’ incredible Champions League comeback against Manchester City on Wednesday that an official announcement will come at the end of the season.

It is a huge blow for Tuchel and Chelsea, with Rudiger being a key player for the west London club this term.

The German centre-back has only missed a few games in the Premier League, showing his importance to his manager, who will now be scrambling around for a replacement.

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Brown has told GIVEMESPORT that Tuchel loves Rudiger so expects the former AS Roma man to continue playing while he is still at Chelsea.

Speaking to GMS, the Daily Star reporter said: “The manager still loves him and he is very important to Chelsea, so I think there is absolutely no doubt he will continue to start games until the end of the season.

“They’re going to need him. It would be a big surprise if he was to leave him out. He has a much closer relationship with Rudiger than he ever did with Christensen, and he did say, basically, that Christensen was dropped because there was an issue over his future.”

No way. While some may not be pleased with the £29m Germany