The stunning Chelsea transfer raid for £29m elite defender that could break the internet

Chelsea are battling to secure Champions League qualification for the first time since Todd Boehly’s arrival as owner in May 2022. The Blues currently find themselves fifth in the table and are on track to secure their goal but know they need to be at their best if they are to dine at Europe’s elite table next term, with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa both breathing down their necks in the final furlong.

The capital club are also chasing their first piece of domestic silverware since BlueCo businessman’s arrival at Stamford Bridge after reaching the Europa Conference League final, as they bid to become the first team in history to win all three major European competitions.

In truth, the Conference League is bottom of the barrel when it comes to the elite European prizes, and that’s something Boehly will be more than aware of, having purchased the team just two years after the club’s European triumph under Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

At that time, Chelsea had a strong mix of youth and experience which enabled them to thrive, with the ready-made talents of N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilecueta and Thiago Silva combining beautifully with the well harnessed prospects of Reece James and Mason Mount of the time.

Cleary, Chelsea still have plenty of youth on their side with the likes of Cole Palmer , Nicolas Jackson , Noni Madueke, and Moises Caicedo (all aged 23) approaching their peak years but many experts including the Times’ Peter Rutzler and ex-player Steve Sidwell, argue the club’s lack of experience is holding them back when it comes to winning major honours - in a season where at the very least they should have had Champions League qualification done and dusted after their strong start.

Chelsea consider move for familiar fan favourite

Former Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger was central to the club’s Champions League triumph in 2021 and was arguably the most sorely felt exit in the period between Abramovic’s departure and Boehly’s eventual takeover during the spring of 2022.

Rudiger, a 79-time Germany international, and a real standout signing at £29m back in 2017, joined Real Madrid on a free transfer after five trophy-laden seasons at Stamford Bridge which saw him win a Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, a Champions League and a Club World Cup.

Since joining Madrid, he’s added another Champions League honour to his trophy cabinet and has also won La Liga and the Copa del Rey. However, this term he’s reportedly become open to a change of scenery at Real Madrid, with Football Transfers reporting that he’s clashed ‘with people in his inner circle’, Most notably, Rudiger is said to have fallen out with his brother and agent, Sahr Senesie, just before Christmas.

The outlet explains Chelsea are ‘ready to negotiate’ a deal to try and bring the 32-year-old back to Stamford Bridge to offer some much needed leadership to assist the team next season.

Should Chelsea re-sign Antonio Rudiger?

Rudiger is one of Chelsea’s best performing defenders since John Terry’s departure in 2017 and a player with the potential to transform the side from European hopefuls into title contenders. Rudiger at 32 years of age, still should have a few years left at the highest level and is known for being a commanding presence in the dressing room which is something Chelsea appear to lack at present, with the bulk of their squad still in the early part of their career.

While Rudiger wouldn’t be likely to represent much profit in terms of sell-on value from a business standpoint, he could prove a bargain in the sense that he would be able to help improve the qualities of those around him including an inexperienced by highly talented Levi Colwill along with Wesley Fofana if the Frenchman can get to full fitness.

The best teams of the past have often had good leaders in the past to help get the best out of the young players around them. Former Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen might have been ridiculed for the famous ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ quote back in 1995. But even the Class of ‘92 had experienced figure heads to look up to such as Steve Bruce, Dennis Irwin, Peter Schemeichel and Eric Cantona.

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