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Antonio Rudiger

doctorblue said:
Just made a brilliant and vital tackle in the box...he's playing on the left of a back three interestingly... 
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Would take Gary's spot immediately. We'd have so versatile back-3 who could build the game from Courtois or make a long pass.
 
doctorblue said:
Just made a brilliant and vital tackle in the box...he's playing on the left of a back three interestingly... 
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First thing I noticed, which bodes well if we do sign him. Commentator mentioned he has played in a 3 and a standard back 4 for Roma, at left CB. He's played well so far, very encouraging.

 
dkw said:
First thing I noticed, which bodes well if we do sign him. Commentator mentioned he has played in a 3 and a standard back 4 for Roma, at left CB. He's played well so far, very encouraging.
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Out of all of Germany's defenders, i think he has looked the most comfortable.

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

 
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

 
looked really good ! calm and compose on the ball , something zouma and cahill doesnt offer us ! great signing if true !!

 
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.
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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.

 
Means very little in this day and age but he liked a picture of the new Chelsea kit on Instagram. Make of that what you will.

 
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...

 
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