By Gianni Verschueren, Featured Columnist
Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Chelsea are reportedly after Stuttgart star Antonio Rudiger, and the youngster's current situation makes him a prime target for a quick transfer.
The 21-year-old centre-back is a relatively unknown player outside of the Bundesliga and many were shocked to see him start for Germany when they faced Poland in their Euro 2016 qualifier last week
Rudiger has quickly risen to the elite ranks of German defenders, becoming a mainstay in Stuttgart's squad in the 2014-15 season. Blessed with excellent size and phenomenal athleticism, he's already an accomplished defender with plenty of room for growth.
It's no wonder, then, that he's being linked with some of Europe's elite teams, including Chelsea. As reported by Bild (h/t FourFourTwo's AlexChaffer), Stuttgart director Jochen Schneider denied the Blues have made a formal approach:
We want to extend Rudiger’s contract. He’s already a very important player to us. Fredi Bobic [Stuttgart director of football] has talked with him, and I also conducted a specific conversation with [Rudiger's agent] Uli Ferber.
We have a good relationship with Chelsea – after all, we have borrowed [Oriol] Romeu for the season. If Antonio was of interest, they would make themselves known to us.
Chelsea have no need for the youngster, but Jose Mourinho has never let need cloud his judgement. The Portuguese manager has a keen eye for talent and has shown a willingness to spend on younger players, allowing them to develop out on loan.
Kurt Zouma is a player that comes to mind, for example. The French defender was bought by Chelsea in January but stayed with Saint-Etienne, where he would receive more playing time and could continue his development.
The 19-year-old flashed tremendous potential and moved to London in the summer, where he is now regarded as the future of the team in the heart of the back four. Rudiger wouldn't make for a bad partner.
The Germany international needs minutes to continue growing, likeZouma, but Stuttgart may no longer be the best environment for him.Chaffer explains:
Stuttgart are in a difficult place right now, on a downward slope and hoping returning boss Armin Veh can help turn things around. Now might be as good a time as any for Rüdiger to say goodbye – however hard that may be.He left Dortmund as a youth player with the goal of playing more regular first-team football, and has achieved that at VfB. His next step could be on the European stage with another team, Stuttgart looking unlikely to take him there again anytime soon.
Stuttgart sit dangerously close to the relegation zone in the Bundesliga, via WhoScored.com, and Rudiger will know all too well he needs a more competitive environment to continue his career. By playing on a losing team, he risks getting passed over for further national team selection.
The youngster wouldn't have to join the Blues straight away—although he certainly could. Signing Rudiger would be a signing for the future, the type of signing Chelsea have made dozens of times in the past few years.
By acting swiftly, the Blues would be able to take advantage of Stuttgart's struggles. If Rudiger is keen to leave the sinking ship, his price tag will only drop. And as he told Bild (h/t Daily Express' Alex Harris) in August when asked about reported interest fromManchester United, the Premier League appeals to him:
Of course I am aware of the interest from Manchester United. They are definitely one of the top clubs in Europe and they are in a league I have been dreaming of. The Premier League is very physical, intense, breathtaking and with a lot of goals.
Mourinho knows better than to wait for a need to emerge before he addresses it. With Zouma and Rudiger, Chelsea would own two of the world's top young defenders with an eye on the future, ensuring the club's current dominance continues.
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