Gus Poyet: ‘Young people cannot believe I played for Chelsea’

Gus Poyet is on standby. He says it himself. It’s the nature of being an international manager, with periods of intense work followed by a vacuum before the next break. Poyet was appointed Greece manager in February and he has enjoyed a bright start, winning all four of his games in the Nations League so far without conceding a goal. The animated Uruguayan lives in Athens, but his mind is never far from matters in London, the city he calls his “real home”.

Chelsea have been in their own version of standby this year too, with Roman Abramovich forced to hand over ownership, leaving Chelsea rudderless and with an uncertain future until Todd Boehly finally bought the club for £4.25bn in May. Since then, it’s been all change at Stamford Bridge, with players and staff leaving as Boehly puts his stamp on things.

Chief among the departures was domineering centre-back Antonio Rüdiger, who has joined Real Madrid. How much of a hole his absence will make remains to be seen – although Poyet worries it will be significant. “It is going to be tremendous for many reasons,” says the 54-year-old. “He swallowed everything and waited for his chance under Lampard. Then he came back so strong under Tuchel and showed the world his value.

“And look where he’s going, he’s going to Real Madrid. It’s not like he’s going home and retiring. He’s going to one of the best clubs, if not the best club in the world. That’s the level of player they’re going to miss. It’s an opportunity for someone else, but I don’t think you’re going to compare anyone to Rüdiger.”

Rüdiger is not the only big-name player who left Chelsea this summer. Romelu Lukaku, signed by Chelsea for £97.5m a year ago, has rejoined Inter on loan after an underwhelming season. Poyet,