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Antonio Rudiger

Barrettinator
in General Chelsea FC

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2 hours ago, Davey Baby said:

For me the most interesting aspect of this transfer is what it tells us about the team Conte is trying to build.

 

Last season he brought in Batshuayi, Alonso, Luiz and Kante. This season it seems he's going to build the team more in his own image, with quick, athletic, raw, pacy and strong players, all of a certain age, that magic spot in your mid 20s when you're yet to hit your peak, when you still have a lot to prove and you're motivated, when you should in theory be giving your team the best years of your life.

 

Rudiger, like Lukaku, has just turned 24. Bakayoko will be 23 next month, Sandro is 26. They're all tall and they're all imposing athletic creatures. Nobody's going to bully us, nobody's going to dominate us in the air and nobody's going to outpace us. I know there is some debate over Lukaku but these are all technical players too, these are all top-level performers, who perform on the international stage and, with the exception of Lukaku, the CL stage.

 

I think many are underestimating Rudiger on this thread. This guy was a full German international at the age of 20 and he remains a regular in the German squad. Considering he's just turned 24, considering he had a bad injury last summer, considering Germany are the world champions, 16 caps isn't bad. Those saying he isn't an upgrade on Ake need to consider this guy has nearly 200 club appearances to his name, whereas Ake has just over 50. That's not to say Ake won't turn into a top player, he's clearly a good player and he's doing very well for his age, even though it's worth considering he's only 2 years younger than Rudiger. One thing's for sure, Ake will never have Rudiger's pace nor his height, although he does match him for versatility.

 

That's the other interesting thing about this transfer, the fact Rudiger gives us options in a number of positions, as he can play anywhere along the defence. I'm sure Conte already knows where he ideally wants him to play however, be that at FB, WB or CB. It's possible Conte sticks with the 3 man defence, plays Rudiger on the right of the 3, and plays Azpilicueta as the RWB instead of Moses. Either way, it seems Conte has identified an area of the team that needs strengthening, and he's identified Rudiger as the man to strengthen it. Rudiger may not be a beast, in the mould of a Koulibaly or whoever, he may not be the world's best defender, but he's still a top player playing at the top level, with bags of experience for one so young. We'll be challenging for the CL as well as the PL this season and with that in mind, Rudiger's presence gives us a far better chance than Ake's presence would have done, and that's why Conte's made a pragmatic choice. 

 

Truth is, it's hard for a young player to break through at Chelsea, as we all know. Kids have to play or their development is stifled. Conte has to decide if he can give that kid enough minutes. He decided the answer was no in Ake's case, and sad as it may be, that made it the right decision to sell him. He's had his loans, he's 22, this was the time for the manager to make his decision and he made it. He's seen the player and he's made his judgement. Chelsea play at a very high level and the manager's no mug. As a youngster you're going to have to be very special indeed to break through. Rudiger simply plays at a higher level. That may not be the case in a season or two but that's the case now, and Ake will be forever stifled if he stays at Chelsea, so it was the best thing for all parties. Don't forget Christensen's back too, and if he's as good as they say he is, he's going to need minutes as well, otherwise we'll lose him. Then there's Zouma, who may or may not go out on loan. His chances have definitely diminished with Rudiger's arrival and maybe it's time for him to consider his future too. Either way we have to make room to accomodate these players and that means we have to make sacrifices too. The manager gets paid the big bucks to make these calls. The top managers get these calls right more often than not. That's what makes them top managers.

 

Sure, Rudiger may not have been Conte's first choice but maybe his first choice wasn't available, or maybe the club weren't prepared to be held to ransom, which is fair enough. You never know, maybe another CB is going to come in. Maybe Conte has plans to play Rudiger at WB. Either way I think he represents good value, I think he'll make us stronger, I think he'll develop under Conte, and I think he's likely to prove a good signing.

 

Edit: I'm happy with this piece of business and I think you should all be too.

Very very good post. You should post a little more often.

    1 minute ago, brakeit said:

    He was great tonight. The best defender for Germany. Great passing too.

     

    Agree with all of davey's points I said earlier in the threads surprised people aren't more content with this, smart signing bags of potential and brings us a type of physicality we don't have currently 



    All we need now is a stellar medical team and fitness coach to keep him fit and healthy. The CBs bar Azpi are all 6fters with clean tackles who're not scared to tackle in the box, that's a scary prospect for any forwards

    8 hours ago, Davey Baby said:

    For me the most interesting aspect of this transfer is what it tells us about the team Conte is trying to build.

     

    Last season he brought in Batshuayi, Alonso, Luiz and Kante. This season it seems he's going to build the team more in his own image, with quick, athletic, raw, pacy and strong players, all of a certain age, that magic spot in your mid 20s when you're yet to hit your peak, when you still have a lot to prove and you're motivated, when you should in theory be giving your team the best years of your life.

     

    Rudiger, like Lukaku, has just turned 24. Bakayoko will be 23 next month, Sandro is 26. They're all tall and they're all imposing athletic creatures. Nobody's going to bully us, nobody's going to dominate us in the air and nobody's going to outpace us. I know there is some debate over Lukaku but these are all technical players too, these are all top-level performers, who perform on the international stage and, with the exception of Lukaku, the CL stage.

     

    I think many are underestimating Rudiger on this thread. This guy was a full German international at the age of 20 and he remains a regular in the German squad. Considering he's just turned 24, considering he had a bad injury last summer, considering Germany are the world champions, 16 caps isn't bad. Those saying he isn't an upgrade on Ake need to consider this guy has nearly 200 club appearances to his name, whereas Ake has just over 50. That's not to say Ake won't turn into a top player, he's clearly a good player and he's doing very well for his age, even though it's worth considering he's only 2 years younger than Rudiger. One thing's for sure, Ake will never have Rudiger's pace nor his height, although he does match him for versatility.

     

    That's the other interesting thing about this transfer, the fact Rudiger gives us options in a number of positions, as he can play anywhere along the defence. I'm sure Conte already knows where he ideally wants him to play however, be that at FB, WB or CB. It's possible Conte sticks with the 3 man defence, plays Rudiger on the right of the 3, and plays Azpilicueta as the RWB instead of Moses. Either way, it seems Conte has identified an area of the team that needs strengthening, and he's identified Rudiger as the man to strengthen it. Rudiger may not be a beast, in the mould of a Koulibaly or whoever, he may not be the world's best defender, but he's still a top player playing at the top level, with bags of experience for one so young. We'll be challenging for the CL as well as the PL this season and with that in mind, Rudiger's presence gives us a far better chance than Ake's presence would have done, and that's why Conte's made a pragmatic choice. 

     

    Truth is, it's hard for a young player to break through at Chelsea, as we all know. Kids have to play or their development is stifled. Conte has to decide if he can give that kid enough minutes. He decided the answer was no in Ake's case, and sad as it may be, that made it the right decision to sell him. He's had his loans, he's 22, this was the time for the manager to make his decision and he made it. He's seen the player and he's made his judgement. Chelsea play at a very high level and the manager's no mug. As a youngster you're going to have to be very special indeed to break through. Rudiger simply plays at a higher level. That may not be the case in a season or two but that's the case now, and Ake will be forever stifled if he stays at Chelsea, so it was the best thing for all parties. Don't forget Christensen's back too, and if he's as good as they say he is, he's going to need minutes as well, otherwise we'll lose him. Then there's Zouma, who may or may not go out on loan. His chances have definitely diminished with Rudiger's arrival and maybe it's time for him to consider his future too. Either way we have to make room to accomodate these players and that means we have to make sacrifices too. The manager gets paid the big bucks to make these calls. The top managers get these calls right more often than not. That's what makes them top managers.

     

    Sure, Rudiger may not have been Conte's first choice but maybe his first choice wasn't available, or maybe the club weren't prepared to be held to ransom, which is fair enough. You never know, maybe another CB is going to come in. Maybe Conte has plans to play Rudiger at WB. Either way I think he represents good value, I think he'll make us stronger, I think he'll develop under Conte, and I think he's likely to prove a good signing.

     

    Edit: I'm happy with this piece of business and I think you should all be too.

    If Rudiger is indeed Conte's choice, I offer no objection whatsoever.  Just that his performances at Roma hasn't been exactly top notch from what I have seen and recall. 

    By the way, do post more often.  Your posts are almost always a good read.



    watched him a bit at the confederations cup, looks like a physical beast, extremely quick and strong as a bull. but can play a bit too. i have high hopes.

    Usual crap from the papers this morning saying that City are going to gazump us for him.

     

    Don't believe it tbh, probably just his agent trying to push the last few bonus clauses over the line before the medical. I'd put money on him being a Chelsea player by Wednesday

     

    Caught a glimpse of him last night in the Confederation Cup. Looks very good and comfortable playing with the ball at his feet.



    Lots of talk this morning about he and his agent delaying any medical until they've heard more from other interested parties...Roma probably wants any deal wrapped up quickly though for FFP reasons...

    Edited by doctorblue



    Read this on another forum thought it was a good read so I'll share it here not my own work.

     

    Nope, it's done already. Everything agreed in principle, player just needs to have a medical and sign the contract.

    A Roma supporter told me their club needed €30M income by the end of June to comply with FFP, so that's where the Rüdiger sale comes in and that's why the deal was agreed out of the blue in less than 24 hours. It all happened because their sale of Kostas Manolas to Zenit fell through at the last minute and they needed to complete another deal fast. If (or rather when) the sale to Chelsea goes through, Roma will get the transfer fee income included in their financial books for year 16/17 because it was already agreed before the end of last month and they're in clear waters with UEFA.

    However if a club like Man City now hijacked the deal and records show that the transfer was only agreed in July, Roma would be f**ked with FFP sanctions because the income would appear on their books for 17/18 and for last year they'd be €30M short of complying with the rules. Any reports linking the player to Man City are just tabloids writing sh*t and trying desperately to sell papers. 



    Finally signing him, I have wanted him since last season, so good on the ball, and very good defender with huge potential also very versatile, very shrewd signing. 

    Gazetta dello sport are reporting that his agent has flown into London and that a medical may happen as early as tomorrow...fee and personal terms agreed...

    Edited by doctorblue



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