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Antonio Rudiger

It's hard to judge a defender fairly when they're playing in our defence. I doubt there are many defenders who would look great in this defence. People's opinions on here are always strongly influenced by recency-bias, and Rüdiger's made a few glaring mistakes recent that are fresh in the mind. However, he was excellent under Conte in his first season here playing in a proper defence, and was clear man of the match in the FA Cup final win over Man Utd. 

I'd rate him currently on a similar level to peak Gary Cahill. He could be (and has been, for us) part of a good defence. His 'crime' is that he's not the talismanic defensive rock that people hoped he might be.

 
bluedave said:
However, he was excellent under Conte in his first season here playing in a proper defence, and was clear man of the match in the FA Cup final win over Man Utd. 
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and he blew out his knee again since then. He hasn't been the same player since the days you reference. For an athlete who relies on quick bursts of movement, an ACL injury can be a full 18 months of recovery. And this isn't the first serious knee injury Rudiger has had.

I'm hoping he gets back to his best, but this season wasn't it, and I put a lot of that on the injury(ies)

 
Rudiger is concentrating on other things than football. He is the agent but he should be the defender. Channeling his inner Luiz all the time.

 
bluedave said:
It's hard to judge a defender fairly when they're playing in our defence. I doubt there are many defenders who would look great in this defence. People's opinions on here are always strongly influenced by recency-bias, and Rüdiger's made a few glaring mistakes recent that are fresh in the mind. However, he was excellent under Conte in his first season here playing in a proper defence, and was clear man of the match in the FA Cup final win over Man Utd. 

I'd rate him currently on a similar level to peak Gary Cahill. He could be (and has been, for us) part of a good defence. His 'crime' is that he's not the talismanic defensive rock that people hoped he might be.
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Can't believe he's been at Chelsea for 3 seasons already, it feels shorter, probably due to his injuries. I rated Rüdiger highly in his first season, he was one of my favourites. His impact on our defense seems to have diminished, but are his injuries to blame for that? It looks as if he doesn't read the game as well anymore, that can't be because of injuries.

 
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We've seen some great performances by him before the injury so I'm not counting him out so quickly. But one thing upsets me every single time - his terrible attempts to make diagonal passes. Just let it go, Antonio, you are not Luiz and will never be. Focus on yous strengths, you are quick, you can run through the midfield if you are confident, but for christ sake stop doing these diags.

 
bluedave said:
It's hard to judge a defender fairly when they're playing in our defence. I doubt there are many defenders who would look great in this defence. People's opinions on here are always strongly influenced by recency-bias, and Rüdiger's made a few glaring mistakes recent that are fresh in the mind. However, he was excellent under Conte in his first season here playing in a proper defence, and was clear man of the match in the FA Cup final win over Man Utd. 

I'd rate him currently on a similar level to peak Gary Cahill. He could be (and has been, for us) part of a good defence. His 'crime' is that he's not the talismanic defensive rock that people hoped he might be.
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That was in a back 3, the same formation David Luiz was truly world class in. playing a flat back 4, they're both pudding. 

 
RIP Mourinho said:
That was in a back 3, the same formation David Luiz was truly world class in. playing a flat back 4, they're both pudding. 
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Last year under Sarri he was fairly competent. Not as good but not inconsistent like this sesson. 

 
bluedave said:
It's hard to judge a defender fairly when they're playing in our defence. I doubt there are many defenders who would look great in this defence. People's opinions on here are always strongly influenced by recency-bias, and Rüdiger's made a few glaring mistakes recent that are fresh in the mind. However, he was excellent under Conte in his first season here playing in a proper defence, and was clear man of the match in the FA Cup final win over Man Utd. 

I'd rate him currently on a similar level to peak Gary Cahill. He could be (and has been, for us) part of a good defence. His 'crime' is that he's not the talismanic defensive rock that people hoped he might be.
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You're definitely not wrong on fickleness and our defensive organisation being bad. But he's making a ridiculous amount of individual errors, I just can't even believe that this guy was a good defender when I watch him this season. It's so hard for me to believe he's the man at the back.

I have to agree with others though, peak Cahill was much superior. 

 
Not taking anything away from what Cahill achieved here but for most of his time he played in systems that heavily protected our defense. When we reverted to those type of tactics against City recently Rudi looked excellent.

 
Argo said:
Not taking anything away from what Cahill achieved here but for most of his time he played in systems that heavily protected our defense. When we reverted to those type of tactics against City recently Rudi looked excellent.
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That's a good point actually, I don't think Cahill played under any attacking oriented manager while being here besides AVB? And he was only playing under AVB for like a month if that, I can't remember how he played when he first came. With AVB we had the highline where John Terry was looking like a finished player who needed selling, Alex looked awful and was sold, we started to truly see the dark side of David Luiz and Ivanovic was also badly struggling. 

But it's not just goals on the counter attack we're conceding, it's set pieces also, and remember how Rudiger just gave Maguire all the space in the world? Something just isn't right. I think it's fair to say Lampard needs help with organising that backline while also getting the right players he needs, Christensen is certainly not a player who is suited for Lampards style of play, not sure why he's played so much when Zouma has been available. 

 
Slojo said:
That's a good point actually, I don't think Cahill played under any attacking oriented manager while being here besides AVB? And he was only playing under AVB for like a month if that, I can't remember how he played when he first came. With AVB we had the highline where John Terry was looking like a finished player who needed selling, Alex looked awful and was sold, we started to truly see the dark side of David Luiz and Ivanovic was also badly struggling. 

But it's not just goals on the counter attack we're conceding, it's set pieces also, and remember how Rudiger just gave Maguire all the space in the world? Something just isn't right. I think it's fair to say Lampard needs help with organising that backline while also getting the right players he needs, Christensen is certainly not a player who is suited for Lampards style of play, not sure why he's played so much when Zouma has been available. 
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When we have a goalkeeper who can defend his 6 yard box from corners, we will look steadier. 

 
Its all good blaming the manager and keeper for their part in our defensive woes this season. But no way can Rudiger be excused, he's been awful this season, and I'm still to be convinced that he has the basics you need, i have never seen a more uncomfortable player on the ball at the club, he makes Zouma look like Desailly. I just wish he could deal with the ball better than he does, we cant have our most experienced defender panicking and fluffing the ball all the time like he does.

 
He's really just not good enough. I'm hoping that he can improve, but being 27 now I really doubt it. People have mentioned his on the ball ability and passing, which is awful, but what concerns me most is how easy he gets skipped by in a 1v1 and how he cant seem to man-mark a man at a corner or free-kick. Basics of defending. He also goes to ground way too easily to try and tackle when all the top defenders stay on their feet for as long as possible and marshal their opponents out of the danger area. Really hoping Rudi can prove me wrong and improve as he seems like a nice guy and good to have in the dressing room.

 
Well, for the little time he spent on the pitch Tomori probably made 10 times more mistakes with the ball than Rudiger made for the entire season but the double standard here for the academy players and the foreigners are not breaking news. 

Aaaand... 3, 2, 1... "but he is still young" whining begins ... as the picture in my head of Johhny Evans, Phil Jones, John Stones and some other "promising" "young" defenders.

 
Droopy said:
Well, for the little time he spent on the pitch Tomori probably made 10 times more mistakes with the ball than Rudiger made for the entire season but the double standard here for the academy players and the foreigners are not breaking news. 

Aaaand... 3, 2, 1... "but he is still young" whining begins ... as the picture in my head of Johhny Evans, Phil Jones, John Stones and some other "promising" "young" defenders.
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If you keep posting Anglophobic posts you'll be banned, again.

 
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Droopy said:
Well, for the little time he spent on the pitch Tomori probably made 10 times more mistakes with the ball than Rudiger made for the entire season but the double standard here for the academy players and the foreigners are not breaking news. 

Aaaand... 3, 2, 1... "but he is still young" whining begins ... as the picture in my head of Johhny Evans, Phil Jones, John Stones and some other "promising" "young" defenders.
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Have we seen Tomori misplace a pass? Yes, but so does Rudiger constantly.

Have we seen tomorrow constantly get skinned in a 1v1? No, he's great in those situations- unlike Rudiger.

Tomori isn't perfect, but he's already a better defender than Rudiger in my opinion and he's only 22.

 
Rudiger has been very poor this season and this was again one of the worst performances i have seen along with the pool game.. he looses his head .. he almost gifted a goal immediately after the break and then left the center .. missed the tackle and moved out of the way of the attacking player.. he absolutely had to take the man out.. the only quality i have seen from him this season has been on social media and his exercising of vocal chords berating his team.. on the pitch i think he is the worst of the lot we have had..

 
A complete liability unfortunately. He hardly looks like a footballer, let alone a defender most of the time.

 
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