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Antonio Rüdiger has said he wants to sign a new contract with Chelsea despite admitting he was surprised to lose his place at the start of the season and considered offers from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham.
The German center-back, whose contract expires in June 2022, has seen a change of fortune since Chelsea replaced Frank Lampard with Thomas Tuchel in January. Rüdiger fell out of favor with Lampard after the arrival of Thiago Silva last summer and wanted to leave after being excluded from several teams for the day.
His situation alerted PSG, which was led by Tuchel, and he spoke with José Mourinho about signing on loan to Spurs. Rüdiger, who is in line to start when Chelsea host Atletico Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League on Wednesday, was unhappy after being frozen by Lampard.
“Obviously I was surprised,” Rüdiger said. “I saw some things coming. Not being on the team at all was not something I saw coming. But I took it on the chin. There were two teams, but mainly one team that I was considering. PSG and there was a call also with Mourinho but this is something that did not happen.
“I was a bit upset because I knew I wouldn’t play that often. But then I had conversations with Lampard and all of a sudden I went back to the bench and then I had a couple of games. I just worked my way back. I played the last games of his reign and now things are going well.
“I am very happy about it, but the truth is that I have always felt good at the club. They treated me very well, especially the board. No one told me you should go, not even Frank Lampard. The loans did not happen. But no one told me I should go. “
Rüdiger has become an integral player with Tuchel, who has conceded two goals in his first 12 games as manager and is waiting to start talks on a contract extension. “It depends on the people who make these kinds of decisions, but right now for me it is to focus on important games,” said the 28-year-old. “I’m sure we will solve it.
“When things didn’t go the way he wanted, he was always calm. I can’t give myself a contract, I have to wait to see what happens. But I love being here. Chelsea will always be my priority ”.
Chelsea beat Atlético 1-0 in the first leg, but will face La Liga leaders without suspended Mason Mount and Jorginho, and Silva and Tammy Abraham are injured. Tuchel expects a tough test and acknowledged that he is looking for the best formula in attack. However, the German dismissed reports that Chelsea could sell Timo Werner this summer.
“There is simply no time to reflect on what will happen in the summer or next year,” Tuchel said. “I don’t see why I should be frustrated. Maybe everything you read will disappear soon. “
