Rio Ferdinand believes that Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger has been the best central defender in the Premier League since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel last campaign.
Rudiger, who has been part of the Chelsea team who have started the league season with four wins and a draw in their opening five games, while only conceding a goal, has been described as ‘immense’ by the former Man United.
Despite Chelsea having several defensive options in Trevoh Chalobah, Azpiliqueta, Christensen, Reece James and Thiago Silva, Rudiger has been a starter at the club this term after been out of the team while Lampard was in charge.
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Ferdinand believes both Rudiger and Ruben Dias have been the standout defenders in England during the last year, but the German’s effect on his teammates means he edges it as the best in the Premier League.
‘Since Tuchel has come I think he’s arguably been the best centre-back. I think him and Dias would have been close but the effect he has had on his team has been immense.
‘Under Frank [Lampard] , it was evident he wasn’t Frank’s cup of tea. He didn’t really like him. There was rumours there were trying to put him in the market to be sold.
‘In Germany, he’s always been highly thought of. But when the manager doesn’t rate you and you can feel that, I don’t care who you are your confidence takes a beating and it’s hard to perform at that level.’
The German, who only has 12 months left on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, is currently in negotiations with Chelsea’s board over a new deal, with Thomas Tuchel eager to keep one of his stars at the club.
‘I hope that they find solutions, but it’s not only between coaches and players, and what we wish for and that’s why it’s between the club, the players and the agent at the moment,’ he said.
‘We hope that they find the solution and everything I can say, he plays excellent, and since a long time very consistent, on a very high level.
‘I feel him very calm and focused, and it’s not a distraction for him. So everything is in place, and give things the time they need. Sometimes it needs a bit longer, sometimes things are very fast.
‘There’s no news from my side, and I think that Toni feels very, very good at Chelsea, he feels very respected by his team-mates and he feels the importance that he has in the team and in the squad.
‘That’s well deserved because he delivers, he feels the love from the supporters when he plays. He’s in the strongest league in Europe, in a big club, so not many reasons to change that.’
