Ashley Cole: Chelsea cannot afford to lose Antonio Rudiger on a free this summer, he can do everything
Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole thinks losing Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer this summer would be detrimental to the club.
The 28-year-old Berliner has been an integral part of Thomas Tuchel’s defence and recently starred as the club booked their ticket to the League Cup final.
The Blues beat London rivals Tottenham 1-0 in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday night, with Rudiger getting the only goal of the game to inflict a 3-0 aggregate defeat on Antonio Conte’s side.
18+, UK only. Deposit and place a minimum £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/1 or greater and we will give you 1 x £5 in free bets plus an extra 3 x £5 Free Bets the following day. Applies to first cash bet only. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 bets to use on 3x Any sport & 1x Virtuals. Cashed Out, Void or Draw No Bet wagers do not qualify for this promotion. 1 x £5 Free Bets are credited upon qualifying first bet settlement, other free bets credited by midday the day after your first bet settles. 7-day free bet expiry. Available once per customer. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Full T&C’s apply.
18+ only. New UK customers only. T&Cs apply.
Claim Here
18+ only. Use code BET30. New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds1.5, stake not returned.1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply
18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs apply.
Claim Here
18+ only. £10 min. deposit required. 1 x £10 qualifying bet required. Qualifying bet must be placed on selection with min. odds of 1.8 (4/5). 4 x £5 Free Bets will be credited once the qualifying bet has been settled. 1 x Free Bet valid for any Football Match Result market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Football Correct Score market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Horse Racing market. 1 x Free Bet valid on any Tennis market. Free Bets valid for 7 days once credited. T&Cs apply.
18+ only. New customers only. T&Cs apply.
Claim HereDespite his impressive form, there is a huge concern emanating from Stamford Bridge regarding Rudiger’s future, with the centre-back’s contract expiring at the end of the season and no indication, as of yet, that he will extend his deal.
The Germany international is also free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs now that he has entered the final six months of his contract, but Chelsea legend Cole believes the club must do everything in their power to keep him in west London.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Cole said: “Rudiger was brilliant. You can’t lose top, top key players in this dressing room. I think he can do everything.
“He can play out from the back, he can start attacks, he doesn’t like to be beat one v one, so he puts his body on the line.
How to live stream Afcon 2021:
Bet365* stream a selection of Afcon matches live for account holders. Eligible readers can take advantage of this service by following the simple steps below.
- Click on this link.
- ‘Join now’ and enter details.
- Log in and fund your account.
- Navigate to the ‘In-Play’ link at the top of the homepage and select your desired event.
*Geo restrictions apply, 18+ only, must have a funded account or placed a bet in the last 24 hours, BeGambleAware
“He’s becoming a real leader. He’s temperamental at times.”
Jamie Redknapp chimed in with his own assessment, levelling criticism at Rudiger for his particular involvement in an incident with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg that nearly gifted Spurs a penalty, only for VAR to intervene and award a free-kick instead, but he agreed with Cole’s overall sentiment that Chelsea must keep him at the club.
Redknapp said: “His defending for the Hojbjerg incident was poor, that could have cost his team, but he’s a player they have to keep. I don’t know what the situation is.
“He’s going to be courted by all the top teams in world football.”
