The absence of Antonio Rudiger from the squad has reportedly been a huge factor for Chelsea this season.
Rudiger, who enjoyed a five year spell at Stanford Bridge, left the club for Spanish Giants Real Madrid on free transfer last summer. The Centre-back emerged as a real favourite among the supporters, but now he is impressing everyone at the Spanish Capital.
However, Rudiger will reunite with his former club in tonight’s Champions League Quarter-final tie at the Bernabeu. A source close to current senior Chelsea player has detailed the impact Rudiger had on Blues staff and player. He told The Athletic:-
“Toni has been sorely missed this season, he was a real character around the place. He was a top guy, a great guy to have in the dressing room. Lots of the players looked up to him.
“He was the kind of guy who kept the standards high at training. He was John Terry-esque. It was a massive blow, a huge loss. It was not just his football ability — it was the desire he showed, the leadership on and off the pitch. There were a few times where the team were struggling and, at half-time, he would just go in and let rip. (Former coach Thomas) Tuchel would kind of let him off the leash and then would step in to calm it all down.
“He still messages some of his old team-mates. The bond between the players who won the Champions League will never be broken. Rudiger is a hard man to replace. He should never have been allowed to leave. The new hierarchy know that, but the fact he did was not because of them.”
Rudiger appeared to be a huge leader and and presence within the Chelsea squad.
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