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The mission to replace Antonio Rudiger this summer has commenced.

Chelsea's No.2, who has arguably been their player of the season, is edging ever closer to joining Real Madrid after his impressive outing against Los Blancos in the Champions League convinced the higher-ups in the Spanish capital to go full out on trying to secure his signature as a free agent. Despite the Blues' best efforts to tie down the German to a new deal - one that would have made him the best-paid defender at the club - Tuchel has confirmed that Rudiger will leave the club.

"Toni, the media is on it," Tuchel stated. "The situation is that he wants to leave the club. 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 our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.

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"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