Thomas Tuchel has reacted to Thiago Silva’s contract extension at Chelsea and says the club are doing their ‘very best’ to secure a new deal for Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger is out of contract at the end of the season and is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides, with the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus , PSG and Bayern Munich having all made contact with the centre-back.
The Germany international has been an integral figure since Tuchel’s appointment as head coach and the Chelsea boss insists the Blues are doing all they can to agree new terms with the defender.
“I cannot predict the future,” Tuchel said ahead of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Tottenham on Wednesday evening. “I don’t know if his reps are talking to other clubs.
“Of course, it is possible now as it is January and he hasn’t signed it but we are in communication with him, the club is. He is very aware what I demand from him and I appreciate him.
“The level on which he is playing is outstanding. The point is very clear, my opinion is clear, the club is trying their very best.”
There was more positive news this week after Thiago Silva agreed an extension to his deal, with the veteran having impressed since his free transfer arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
Tuchel praised the defender as ‘outstanding’ and says the 37-year-old is football’s equivalent of ‘Benjamin Button’.
No Monday blues here! 😘 pic.twitter.com/COxHDYe7RC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 3, 2022
“He is the Benjamin Button of football. I know how much effort he puts in to stay fit, taking care of his recovery, his sleep, nutrition, it is simply outstanding.
“The new contract makes him calm and Thiago needs to be calm. He can help so much. He has huge targets to reach.”
The German also provided an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the tie with Spurs, revealing that Timo Werner could return after resuming training.
“Injuries – Andreas [Christensen] is a doubt for tomorrow. Trevoh [Chalobah] is out and Timo trained yesterday. He feels much, much better.”
