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Antonio Rudiger explained to Sky Sports his dedication to Chelsea and that talks about a new contract would not distract him.
The German defender is one of several Chelsea members who have found new opportunities with Thomas Tuchel.
Rudiger participated in the first five games run by the new managers, securing four clean sheets in the process.
This is now the longest period he has spent on the team all season. The 27-year-old started Frank Lampard’s final two matches before Tuchel took his job.
Before his recent hot streak, Rudiger seemed ready to leave Stamford Bridge because Chelsea wanted to cut back on their inflated team (EuroSport).
But Rudiger revealed that this was never the case.
“Inside of me, he was always calm and relaxed, I’ll be very honest,” he said.
“I wasn’t freaking out because I wasn’t playing at the beginning and when you’re not on the team you think ‘oh wow what’s going on?’
“But then all of a sudden I came back to the team and got some games. From then on, my head was ‘I’m staying here in Chelsea and trying to fight for my place.’ In the later Frank Lampard games, he featured even more.
“Lampard in or out, I would have stayed anyway.”
Those doubts now seem like a distant memory as Rudiger and Chelsea revel in Tuchel’s revolution.
Now that his short-term future is no longer in doubt, the questions now revolve around his long-term aspirations in London.
Rudiger’s current contract expires next summer and with the Blues desperate to sign another center-back, his position may be threatened.
“The thing is, I can’t get myself a new contract,” Rudiger admitted.
“The talks have to come from the board, from Marina (Granovskaia), I’m very calm about that.”
The Chelsea Chronicle view
I’m really glad Rudi is back on his feet because Chelsea really missed him.
I think he’s showing again why he’s arguably the Blues’ best defender. I hope it stays a couple more years still.
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