How Ben Chilwell scared Thomas Tuchel as Antonio Rudiger's final Chelsea request is granted

There were still 24 minutes to play at Stamford Bridge yesterday when the fourth official raised his board and Antonio Rudiger's final Chelsea game was brought to an end. The German was replaced by Ross Barkley, who went on to score a late winner as the Blues ended their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Watford.

Rudiger will officially depart Chelsea at the end of next month when his contract expires. Yet the reality is as of this morning, his Blues career is over. Real Madrid will be the 29-year-old's next destination; it is a glamour move for the centre-back who has proved himself one of Europe's best over the past 18 months.

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It wasn't an easy decision for Rudiger to walk away. His children were born in London and in Rudiger's own words, he "became a man" during his time at Stamford Bridge. He will leave behind a strong group of friends and the adulation of the Chelsea supporters – something he wanted to feel one last time against Watford.

As Rudiger left the pitch, he did so to a standing ovation. He embraced Reece James as chants of "Rudi" echoed around the stadium and made sure to shake hands with members of Tuchel's staff, the substitutes, and the Chelsea players who were not involved due to injury.

"Toni wanted that [moment] and we gave it to him because he deserved to have that moment and this is what you get if you deliver," Thomas Tuchel admitted after the game. "We will miss him, and we will miss Andreas Christensen and a lot of guys maybe. We will have to start rebuilding if we are to be competitive."

For Rudiger, a five-year chapter of his career is over. A new one will be written but he accepts that the