Rudiger 'covers costs of catering for frontline staff' in Berlin hospital

Antonio Rudiger has offered to cover the catering costs of frontline staff at the Berlin hospital where he was born for the next three months..

The Chelsea star made the kind gesture after asking hospital chiefs how he could help during the coronavirus crisis, according to football.london

The 27-year-old is also part of the Players Together campaign to donate money to NHS charities and last month made an unspecified donation to Chelsea's foundation wing along with his team-mates.

Chelsea have been widely praised through the coronavirus crisis with the club offering free hotel rooms to hospital staff at St Mary's Paddington, Charing Cross Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital, as well as free meals to NHS staff and to charities supporting vulnerable people in the community.

Rudiger and the rest of the squad have agreed to take a 10 per cent pay cut following a WhatsApp discussion led by captain Cesar Azpilicueta that gained swift approval.

Sportsmail revealed on Saturday night how Chelsea's stars had finally come to an arrangement to trim their wages, although it has yet to be agreed by the club's hierarchy.

However, talks have been ongoing with managing director Marina Granovskaia and they have remained amicable.

According to the Mirror, Chelsea players swiftly responded to Azpilicueta's initial message to make a cut and their proposal is set to run into September.

Chelsea players have already made substantial contributions to Jordan Henderson's NHS campaign and to club charities.

The Chelsea players have come up with the compromise agreement, which is similar to the deal that Arsenal players are negotiating, which will result in a 12.5 per cent cut.

Southampton and West Ham players have already agreed to wage deferrals, while Watford's stars are set for a 30 per cent wage deferral.