Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has revealed he held talks with Jose Mourinho over a possible move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Rudiger’s Chelsea career looked over last summer after he was frozen out by then manager Frank Lampard and was close to leaving on loan. Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Tuchel at the time, was Rudiger’s preferred destination.
And according to Sportsmail, in September Mourinho had attempted to bring Rudiger across London.
“There were two teams — but mainly one team I was considering,” said Rudiger.
“PSG and there was a call with Mourinho but this didn’t happen. I was a bit upset because I knew my situation was that I would not be playing that often.”
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On Wednesday night, Rudiger will be tasked with quelling the threat of Suarez and Joao Felix.
Rudiger quashed any suggestions of bad blood between himself and Suarez following their fiery confrontation during the closing stages of the first leg after the Atletico forward pinched the Chelsea defender’s inner thigh.
“To be honest I just saw on social media after the game he pinched me,’ said the German. ‘But in the game itself, I didn’t really feel it. Between me and him it was just emotions. Nothing special.”
But just as Rudiger, 28, emerges as one Tuchel’s most trusted generals, uncertainty about his long-term future has emerged.
Chelsea are running the risk of allowing his contract to enter its final 12 months with no talks planned over a new deal until after the European Championship.
Rudiger, who joined Chelsea from Roma for £31million in 2017, has hinted he is open to extending his current deal.
“Me and the club know how much I like this club so it’s down to people who make these decisions,’ he said. ‘But, at the moment, I will concentrate on important matches and targets. The rest, I’m sure we will resolve it.
“I’ve always said I love it here at Chelsea. Chelsea will always be my priority.”
