Antonio Rudiger comments on three years of Chelsea rumors

Young AS Roma and Germany center back Antonio Rudiger has just finished his fourth professional season, and apparently for three of those he's been dealing with Chelsea rumors.  I didn't think the Blues were linked (seriously) before last summer, but let's take his word for it.  If we do that, then I suppose we'll have to take his word on other things, too, like being happy at Roma.

"I'm at Roma and I'm happy. You never know football is so unpredictable, regardless I'm optimist about the future. Chelsea? It's been rumored for the last 3 years, I can only say that I'm very happy at Roma."

-Antonio Rudiger; source: Gianluca Di Marzio

Rudiger moved to the Italian capital last summer, on loan from VfB Stuttgart, with a club option to make that a permanent transfer.  It's assumed that Roma will take up that option (an additional €9m to the already paid loan fee of €4m), though I have not seen any official confirmation of them doing so just yet.

Some rumors have claimed that given the bargain price of the pre-arranged transfer, Roma could look to cash in on the 23-year-old to allay any FFP concerns and sell him immediately as if they were flipping a house.  They wouldn't even need to spray on a fresh coat of paint or put on new cabinet doors.

Of course, Rudiger claims he's happy at Roma, as do all other potential Chelsea transfer targets at the Giallorossi.  Maybe we'll just have to do business with some other club, yeah?