Not sure about the "can't play in a back 4" tune anymore - IMO Rüdiger developed and matured quite a bit. The current system fits him to a tee so there is that but with someone like Thiago I can see him doing well in a back four. With James and Chilwell fit I don't even think we would play that much better attacking wise with a 433 instead of our 523. That was some fantastic football we played at the start of the season right until our only fitting wingbacks got injured.

 

Christensen I think would have eventually signed a new contract if Thiago would have left so that he could take his spot. But I have to say it's a bit annoying that he's not available rather often and thank god Rüdiger could play almost every single game under Tuchel from start to finish. So a good replacement could make us even stronger (and possibly even more flexible). 

Edited April 26, 20224 yr by weetee

5 hours ago, bisright1 said:

Unless they go to Tottenham 🤣

Or aa we say 'Rot in hell Gordon Durie'

Quite simply, f**k him.

I like Rudiger and would really liek him to stay. Christensen is a liability and will never be an elite footballer. Rudiger i like. That said he has been very much a man for the moment and the system.

Under Frank he was just as wobbly as the rest of them , was positionally all over the place and often looked like he was playing on ice.

The bigger concern is the timing and our ability to get a replacement in with this ownership cloud taking so long to clear.

7 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Quite simply, f**k him.

Out of basic manners I think I'd need to be invited first.

Im gonna miss Rudiger but don't agree w a lot of pundits in the media saying he's world class, he wasn't that good ever in  a back 4 and suited the 3 much better, what really endeared me to him was his character on and off the pitch and his penchant for popping up with goals just at the right time in games. No surprise he's allegedly off to RM, good luck to the fella. We've still got Dave, Silva & Trev and Im sure the club will bring in  a couple more eventually

Heads up to Rudi tonight, despite being on his way he still gave it 100% and I fully expect we will see the same level till he departs. 

3 minutes ago, charierre said:

Heads up to Rudi tonight, despite being on his way he still gave it 100% and I fully expect we will see the same level till he departs. 

He did, but I don't think this is a 100% focused Toni. He will still be good but the spark was missing from him today imo.

Well as if we don’t need any confirmation, but there it is.

No way we would've matched those terms with or without Roman. 

300k+ a week, even without sanctions we wouldn't compete anyway. Just want one more epic performance in the final and that'll do

9 minutes ago, sonic90 said:

300k+ a week, even without sanctions we wouldn't compete anyway. Just want one more epic performance in the final and that'll do

Where is this figure being reported ?

Good luck Toni.

 

Please actually look like you are bothered to play these last 4 Chelsea games at a high level again.

57 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

No way we would've matched those terms with or without Roman. 

And nor should we, he simple isn't that level of player, not even  close.

 

As usual, Real overpaying a player.

Good riddance, shame we’ll carry on playing that snake 

7 hours ago, timetowaste said:

Good riddance, shame we’ll carry on playing that snake 

Oh come on, he's at the end of his contract, at 29 years old he can go to what is supposed to be a big club and earn big money. Not many players would let this opportunity go by without grabbing it. So would most of us if we had the chance in our jobs.

Disappointing to lose him, interesting to see how much Real is paying + bonuses and everything, I'm pretty sure we could afford that but still interesting to see.

I can't complain, it's his job and I might agree he deserves a better contract with us. He was a crucial player, in the last two seasons he is one of the best defenders in the world. Tuchel turned him into a good player and like always, when Real Madrid is linked with you, players will always go for that option.

I believe we can replace him with quality and defensive ability, but the energy, motivation, winning mentality is something we should look at the next CB. Rudi had some games with poor defensive performance but you always feel him on the pitch, he drives forward to push the team, he fights for the team and in few games he was like a monster. Something that only Diego Costa could offer.

Wish you the best of luck, thank for everything you done in Chelsea shirt. I just hope he will stay on top to finish the current season with a title and top 4.

£29m signing on fee. No wonder his head was turned. 
 

While it’s gutting to lose him, I think the club were right to be cautious given his age and injuries. Otherwise we run the risk of turning into United with old expensive squad players. He has been amazing under Tuchel but he was sketchy under other managers. 
 

We will miss his “nastiness” though and we need to replace that somehow. 

Edited May 11, 20224 yr by JM7

An exceptionally average defender that only looks good in a back 5 because his blaring weaknesses in positional ability, timing and ability to read the game get caught out. He’s only looked good under Tuchel because he can essentially run around like a headless chicken. A good leader of men, no doubt, but we won’t miss him if we’re ever going to revert away from being a boring, defensive unit insistent on playing a 3CB game.

3 hours ago, Valerie said:

Oh come on, he's at the end of his contract, at 29 years old he can go to what is supposed to be a big club and earn big money. Not many players would let this opportunity go by without grabbing it. So would most of us if we had the chance in our jobs.

Sorry but the guy was on his way to becoming a journeyman before Tuchel came in and turned his career round. We offered him over £200k+ to stay but turned it down because he wanted more, and now in one of the most difficult periods in the club’s history he’s jumping ship leaving us with a £40m+ void to fill.

Rudiger was becoming a cult hero, one of the most important members of the squad loved by the players, the coach and the fans but he’s leaving to fill his pockets and join a club where he’s as disposable as every other player they have because £200k+ for a CB isn’t enough apparently. 

All in all I feel he owed us some loyalty chose not to so I don’t ‘wish him well’ I’m looking forward to those spoiled Madrid fans start waving their white hankeys at him when he balloons a shot over the stadium from 40 yards every game like he does for us
 

Edited May 11, 20224 yr by timetowaste

Obviously not happy he is moving yet if the rumours are true he is trying to help members of his family out on probably his last pay big pay  day not sure we can grumble too much.

His move to RM might even encourage other emerging talents to come here to get the next best move. 

Just need to make sure we work on the defence over the summer. 

5 hours ago, strider6004 said:

Obviously not happy he is moving yet if the rumours are true he is trying to help members of his family out on probably his last pay big pay  day not sure we can grumble too much.

Are they needing say 5mil each to survive? 

There is not a huge difference between what he would have made here and at Real. All I now see is a fool who, when he leaves, provides 0 benefit to the club who made him and poured resources into his development. Jumped ship when everything became chaotic. And didn't even have the courtesy to wait until the end of the season to finish the deal and medical. 

And some still want to pat him on the back for simply doing his job as expected while earning a truckload. 

16 hours ago, timetowaste said:

Good riddance, shame we’ll carry on playing that snake