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‘Top five in Europe’: Jerome Boateng says Tottenham-linked £100,000-a-week star is ‘world-class’ now
World Cup winner Jerome Boateng has delivered his verdict on Chelsea defender and reported Tottenham Hotspur target Antonio Rudiger.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. He has entered the final year of his and although Chelsea are trying extremely hard to tie him down to a new deal, there has been no agreement just yet.
A number of top clubs would jump at the chance of signing Rudiger, especially if he’s available for free. The likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked, but it’s Tottenham who have been making the most noise in the transfer rumour mill.
revealed this week that Spurs are putting forward a ‘strong proposal�to lure the German to North London.
Jerome Boateng: Antonio Rudiger is world class
Boateng, one of the best defenders Germany has produced over the years, seems to be a big fan of Rudiger.
Asked by to name Germany’s standout defender, he said: “Toni Rüdiger. We are good friends and we talk often. I am very happy for him that he has developed so well at Chelsea.Â
“When we remember where he was a year ago. Sometimes on the bench, sometimes in the stands â€?and now he’s absolutely titular and playing at a world-class level because he believed in him and remained patient.Â
“For me, he is currently the best German defender �and definitely in the top 5 in his position in Europe.�/p>
- Erik Ten Hag responds when asked if he wants to sign Tottenham’s ‘most skilful player�/strong>
TBR View:
Rudiger definitely is world-class, there’s no doubt about that. He fell out of favour under Frank Lampard at Chelsea and a move to Tottenham looked likely at one point.
That transfer collapsed and he stayed at Stamford Bridge. Lampard was sacked, Thomas Tuchel came in and he turned Rudiger into one of the best defenders in the Premier League, if not in the world.
Tottenham had their chance to sign Rudiger when he was unwanted at Chelsea. They couldn’t then and it’s extremely difficult now. However, Spurs do have an ace up their sleeve.
Antonio Conte was the manager who brought Rudiger to Chelsea from Italy. The German played 45 times under the current Spurs boss, and if the Italian rings him and offers him a massive financial package, he could well agree to switch Chelsea for Tottenham in the summer. It’s still very, very unlikely.
