Thomas Tuchel reveals Antonio Rudiger has decided to leave Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel has announced that Antonio Rudiger will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

The Germany international’s current contract with Chelsea is due to expire this summer and the defender has failed to reach an agreement with the club.

The 29-year-old’s representative has already held talks with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United ahead of a summer move.

And Tuchel revealed after Chelsea’s 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday that Rudiger has decided to call an end to his time at Stamford Bridge.

‘Toni, the media is on it. The situation is that he wants to leave the club,’ Tuchel said.

‘He informed me of this is 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 out hands are tied. We don’t take it personally. It is his decision.

‘He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing.

‘We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room. The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level.

‘He is a top defender in the last one and a half years for me. We then need to find another solution.’

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