Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has been reportedly linked with a move to Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.
The Germany international, 28, is into the final year of his contract that expires in June and has been locked in negotiations with Chelsea over an extension for quite a while now. He is seemingly looking for a significant pay raise and the two parties remain far from agreement to date.
As a result, the central defender has been heavily linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. According to the Express, Liverpool are also keeping tabs on Antonio Rudiger, whose long-term future at Stamford Bridge looks uncertain following little to no progress in fresh talks over an extension.
Antonio Rudiger is arguably the best centre-back in the Premier League at the moment, becoming one of Chelsea’s most crucial assets since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Stamford Bridge back in January. He was a pivotal member of the Blues side that beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League final in Portugal last season.
The Germany international has started the new season imperiously, making eight league appearances so far as Tuchel’s Chelsea lead the Premier League standings.
Antonio Rudiger to Liverpool—A top defensive option for the Reds?
Liverpool brought in defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, making just one signing during the entire summer transfer window. Konate’s signing has added strength to the Reds backline that went through an unprecedented crisis last season, resulting in Jurgen Klopp’s men meekly relinquishing the Premier League title to Manchester City.
However, with Virgil van Dijk making a comeback from an ACL knee injury as strong as ever, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez returning from their injury problems too this season and Nat Phillips as cover, Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre-back department.
To put things into perspective, the Reds already have enough depth at the back but with Matip and Gomez becoming injury-prone in recent years, signing another centre-back won’t be a bad idea next summer. In that regard, Antonio Rudiger would be perfect for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Strong as an ox, intimidating in the air and quick through the ground, Rudiger has been a player reborn under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. The German is a good reader of the game, using his pace and vigilance to make crucial interceptions. He is a competent passer, can carry the ball forward as well as start attacks from the back with his impressive passing range.
The ex-AS Roma man is a technically strong defender who’ll be an immediate upgrade over Matip. He could slot in alongside Van Dijk in the Reds backline, and the duo could complement each other well. At 28, the Chelsea star is undoubtedly playing the best football of his career, thereby, catching the eye of a host of top European clubs.
On a potential free transfer next summer, Rudiger would represent a massive coup for Liverpool.