Antonio Rudiger: Chelsea defender's value analysed amid contract uncertainty and overseas interest

With Antonio Rudiger's long-term future at Chelsea uncertain, what would Thomas Tuchel's side be losing were they to fail to extend his stay at the club?

The 28-year-old Germany international has entered the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge, and Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Juventus have been sniffing around a potential free signing.

Rudiger has been one of the most influential players since Tuchel arrived in west London and the passion he displays whenever he pulls on the blue shirt has seen him emerge as a real fan favourite among Chelsea supporters.

Analysis of Rudiger's defensive and offensive output illustrates his importance to Tuchel's Chelsea, and why failing to tie him down to fresh terms, and losing him to a European rival for nothing, would be an unthinkable prospect.

Tuchel's reliance on Rudiger

Rudiger was often overlooked during Frank Lampard's spell in charge of Chelsea, but he's been brought back in from the cold since Tuchel's appointment and is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

No defender at Chelsea has featured more in the Premier League under Tuchel than Rudiger. He's racked up 3,150 minutes - over a thousand more than the next best on the list.

In Tuchel's formative first 12 months at Chelsea, where he has experimented with systems and personnel, the fact Rudiger has featured as frequently as he has speaks volumes for his importance.

Why Rudiger is in demand

It's not often a player of Rudiger's calibre becomes available, let alone on the enticing prospect of not having to weigh out a transfer fee.

He is 28 years old, in the prime of his career, and this next contract could prove to be the last big one he signs as he enters the later years of his career.

It would be an abdication of duty were the big European clubs linked with Rudiger not to explore the opportunity to secure his services on a free, so the interest should come as no surprise.

In addition to the opportunity of capitalising on Rudiger's contract situation, he also brings unique qualities on the pitch, where his output is not typical of your average centre-back.

Since Tuchel arrived at Chelsea, Rudiger's defensive action area is concentrated down the left flank and features frequent drives into opposition territory.

His presence in those areas gives Chelsea's wing-backs the licence to drift forward or into midfield, a fundamental hallmark of Tuchel's success at the club. Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso can roam forward safe in the knowledge Rudiger has them covered.

Furthermore, a large proportion of Rudiger's defensive actions occur in the middle third of the pitch, where only Jorginho has won possession more times.

Rudiger ranks fifth among Premier League defenders for this metric, meaning Chelsea often have an extra, combative body in midfield which allows Tuchel's side to overpower teams.

Rudiger a catalyst at Chelsea

In addition to Rudiger's defensive prowess, he has played a crucial role building play from the heart of the Chelsea defence over the past 12 months.

Whenever Chelsea may be struggling to break a team down, or things may have quietened down inside Stamford Bridge, there are few greater catalysts than a marauding run from the back by Rudiger.

Indeed, since Tuchel's appointment, no Chelsea player has carried the ball further than Rudiger's total of 5.88km, while the centre-back has completed more passes, more long passes, and had more touches than his team-mates.

Rudiger more than holds his own when his offensive output is compared to his fellow Premier League centre-backs, with him ranking third for goals scored, big chances scored, passes completed, forward passes and touches, and fourth for shots on target since January 26, 2021.

Rudiger stats and presence on the field make a compelling argument that, were he not to commit his future to the club, Chelsea wouldn't just be losing a defender, but a player with a demonstrable ability to create from deeper positions, and a key component to Tuchel's successful start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports

Who will be on the move in January?

The January transfer window opens on Saturday, January 1, 2022 and closes at 11pm on Monday, January 31.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

Follow Chelsea with Sky Sports

Follow every Chelsea game in the Premier League this season with our live blogs on the Sky Sports website and app, and watch match highlights for free shortly after full-time.

Want the Chelsea latest? Bookmark our Chelsea news page, check out Chelsea's fixtures and Chelsea's latest results, watch Chelsea goals and video, keep track of the Premier League table and see which Chelsea games are coming up live on Sky Sports.

Get all this and more - including notifications sent straight to your phone - by downloading the Sky Sports Scores app and setting Chelsea as your favourite team.

Hear the best Premier League reaction and expert analysis with the Essential Football and Gary Neville podcasts, keep up-to-date with our dedicated Transfer Centre, follow the Sky Sports social accounts on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, and find out how to get Sky Sports.