Rüdiger satisfied with Chelsea situation, not looking to leave anymore

Antonio Rüdiger may not have played in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Stade Rennais last night, which saw the first-choice center back pairing of Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva restored, but as the 27-year-old told German news outlet SID, he’s quite satisfied with his current lot at the club.

“I’m satisfied with how the situation has developed in the past weeks. Now I see myself as a permanent part of the team.

“I had a tough time, so I also checked other transfer options but I received positive signals from the coaching team.”

-Antonio Rüdiger; source: SID via Express

Rüdiger has only three appearances to his name, only two of which have been starts, but all three appearances have come in the last month, in Chelsea’s last five games — and since his reported “heart-to-heart” with head coach Frank Lampard.

That’s in start contrast with Fikayo Tomori, who also has three appearances (two starts) but none since September and Andreas Christensen, who has four starts but only one since September and that in the 3-3 draw against Southampton. Rüdiger seems to have firmly established himself as the primary backup at the position, which would indeed fit with his improved outlook on Chelsea life.

That said, Rüdiger has just barely over 18 months left on his Chelsea contract, which will have to lead to some big decisions this summer, both from him and the club.