Chelsea told to re-sign ‘phenomenal’ Champions League star they should ‘never have let go’ | Football
Chelsea have been advised to sign a ‘phenomenal’ Real Madrid player to fix one of the biggest problems at Stamford Bridge.
Following a promising start to his tenure in west London, things went awry for the now-sacked Rosenior, who himself replaced Enzo Maresca at Chelsea in January.
The Blues were not only beaten but embarrassed by PSG in the Champions League, losing 8-2 across the two legs, but they then went on to lose five games in a row without scoring for the first time since 1912.
Most pundits agree that the two biggest issues in the Chelsea squad are are centre-back and in goal, with the defensive deficiencies partly behind the disastrous run of form which led to Rosenior’s sacking.
Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have both made high-profile mistakes this season, while the options at centre-back are generally promising but inexperienced.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has repeatedly said Chelsea need to sign an ‘experienced centre-back’ to guide the younger players in the dressing room.
Brazilian great Thiago Silva performed that role for four seasons but left Stamford Bridge in 2024 to return boyhood club Fluminense.
Antonio Rudiger could have succeeded Silva but he left Chelsea after five years in 2022, joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Ex-Premier League midfielder Charlie Adam believes it was a mistake for Chelsea to allow Rudiger to leave and named the German as the ‘ideal person’ to come in and ‘fill the void’.
Re-signing Rudiger is doubtful for a number of reasons, not least Chelsea’s policy of primarily signing young and players with resale value, but Adam says they should shelve that playbook to bring the two-time Champions League winner back.
‘They should never have let him go or allowed him to leave,’ Adam said on Sky Sports when asked if Chelsea should consider re-signing Rudiger.
‘I understand it was Real Madrid he joined but they never should have got to that position where he could leave.
‘He’s phenomenal. I’ve said before that he’s the ideal person that Chelsea need back.
‘When Chelsea had Thiago Silva he was so important, Rudiger could fill the void as long as Chelsea get over this policy of only signing young players.’
Rudiger has made over 170 appearances for Real Madrid since moving to the Bernabeu in 2022.
The 33-year-old is out of contract in the summer but reports in Spain say he is close to signing an extension to keep him in Madrid for at least one more season.
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