According to reports in Spain, Chelsea were interested in re-signing Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer before the German defender extended his Real Madrid contract earlier this year. The 33-year-old committed to Los Blancos in June on a deal that runs until 30 June 2027, after signing a one-year extension.
The Blues were one of the clubs tracking the former Blues centre-back, who, at the time, was set to leave Santiago Bernabeu when his previous deal expired this summer. It was claimed that the Premier League side saw the situation as an opportunity to sign up an experienced defender for nothing, while other reports added that Chelsea remained in contact with the player’s representatives.
Meanwhile, other reports said Rudiger preferred to extend at Real Madrid rather than return to West London, and at the time, BlueCo were not pursuing a deal for a player over 30. Rudiger left Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in 2022, having joined from Roma in 2017 for a reported €35 million. He won the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League in five years in London before talks over an extension collapsed in 2022, with sanctions placed on former owner Roman Abramovich preventing negotiations.
Real Madrid has seen him make 182 appearances and win eight trophies. The centre-back wanted a two-year deal but accepted Madrid’s one-year deal clause for veteran players. The Spanish capital club are coming off two trophyless seasons, and Jose Mourinho has taken charge. That deal will now expire in June 2027, with Rudiger again set to be out of contract next summer.
Chelsea Extend Premier League Clean Sheet Drought to 22 Games
Chelsea beat Bournemouth 5-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but the result extended their Premier League clean-sheet drought to 22 matches. Evanilson pulled one back in the 51st minute, deflecting in Moises Caicedo’s clearance from a corner.
The win ended a three-game winless league run and lifted Xabi Alonso’s side to fifth in the table. Bournemouth had the higher expected goals (1.46) than Chelsea (1.08), despite ending 5-1 losers. The visitors attempted 27 crosses, with just five finding a teammate, as Chelsea’s defence made 27 clearances in the game.
The scoreline flattered Chelsea’s defence, which also lost 3-0 at Brentford on 18 September. Alonso’s men have Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and Wesley Fofana as centre-back options, and the Blues host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday 17 October before facing Tottenham in North London on 24 October.