"Could turn a bit toxic..." - Journalist drops Tuchel verdict on £31.5m Chelsea star

Dropping Antonio Rudiger from the Chelsea side could make things “toxic”, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The £31.5m-rated centre-back has been the club’s standout defender in recent seasons but he will leave Stamford Bridge once his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Despite playing a huge part in the Champions League success and being arguably the most improved player under Thomas Tuchel, Rudiger only has a few games left as a Chelsea player.

Following months of uncertainty surrounding his future, Tuchel revealed after the West Ham game last week that the Germany international will leave at the end of the season.

Tuchel said: “The situation is that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this in a private talk.

“We gave everything – me and the club – but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don’t take it personally. It is his decision.”

And Real Madrid appear to have beaten off competition from the likes of Manchester United, PSG and Bayern Munich for his signature, with Rudiger expected to sign a four-year contract with the La Liga champions this summer.

Since the announcement was made, Rudiger has started both games, and Brown has urged Tuchel to keep playing him moving forward.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “With Rudiger, he’s too good a player and too important in the dressing room to be left out.

“It would probably be a bigger mistake to leave him out than play him, and it could turn a bit toxic if they were to do that, so I think it’s better that he just stays in the team and I think he will carry on giving his all regardless, because he’s just that type of player.”

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