RUD AWAKENING
‘Doesn’t need pampering’ – Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel won’t pamper Antonio Rudiger to help convince him to sign new deal
ANTONIO RUDIGER doesn't require any 'pampering' to be encouraged to sign a new deal with Chelsea - according to boss Thomas Tuchel.
Rudiger is in talks about a new deal at Stamford Bridge as his current contract expires in the summer.
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The 28-year-old has been linked with both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain but Tuchel is quietly confident he will stay in West London.
Rudiger is claimed to be in no rush to decide his future, and is eager to keep his options open.
Tuchel said: "He's a guy who needs to trust you. He needs to feel the connection. He wants to feel it by minutes and by actions.
"I don't feel Tony needs a lot of words and a lot of pampering and coffee talks and invitations to dinners or whatever.
"He is a top professional. Nothing has changed. We are in talks. It's in good hands because I trust the club and I have trust in my player.
"It's a no problem situation for me."
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Tuchel also said he was weighing up the chances of recalling Emerson from his loan deal at Lyon to cover for Ben Chilwell, who requires surgery for an ACL injury.
He added: "I will not I will not hide from the fact that we have a long term injury with Ben Chilwell as our left wingback, who will miss the whole season.
"Of course we know we appreciate Emerson as a player and as a person. He had such a huge influence, although he did not have a lot of minutes last season.
"He is still a Chelsea player but it's not only what I wish for. We need to evaluate the situation and we're looking into this position and it is one of the options."
One player who could leave in the January transfer window on loan is Ross Barkley, who has started just one Premier League game this season.
Tuchel has confirmed they are assessing the situation with the former Everton man and said: "It depends on what Ross wants and what he wants and what possibilities there are, if there are possibilities.
"So let's see there's always a chance. It's not only about like, 'oh, now it is the FA Cup and now you have a chance'."
"There's always a chance to make it on to the team, especially when there are a lot of COVID and and injury cases.
"So the situation has not changed he has to do a good training session and show that he's ready and then we will make a decision."
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