How England boss Thomas Tuchel turned big-money Chelsea star from flop into ‘Europe’s best defender’
NEW England boss Thomas Tuchel turned Antonio Rudiger into the best-centre back in Europe during their time together at Chelsea.
Chelsea gave Roma £29million for Rudiger in 2017 but the Germany international endured a difficult first few seasons in West London.
Rudiger, 31, won the FA Cup under Antonie Conte and the Europa League under Maurizio Sarri before his fortunes took a downward turn.
The defender began to struggle for game time under Frank Lampard in the Chelsea legend’s first managerial stint at Stamford Bridge.
He played just nine games in all competitions in Lampard’s six months, behind first- choice duo Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva.
Lampard’s former assistant Jody Morris has since tried to clear things up after revealing that Rudiger “wasn’t fit” for most of Lampard’s first reign.
But Rudiger was attracting interest from clubs looking to take him on loan in January 2021, until Lampard was sacked and Thomas Tuchel stepped in.
Tuchel immediately reinstalled his countryman to the starting XI.
The former Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund defender was instrumental in Chelsea‘s Champions League success at the end of the 2020/21 season.
Morris told talkSPORT: “When we first went in there, Rudiger had a serious injury and he wasn’t fit for a large spell.
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“Has Rudiger played to the level that he played under Tuchel anywhere else? I’m not sure. Previously to us going in there, never.
“But I get that because even from watching the games after we left, Rudiger, I don’t think there was a better centre half in Europe after that.
But Morris was keen not to place the blame on Lampard.
He added: “But I think you can always get those types of players that excel under a new manager, a new system.
“I think the fact that he moved into a back three allowed for three centre halves to come in and Rudiger was absolutely outstanding.
“Not just from a defensive aspect, actually, going forward, I thought he has a few roaming runs, but I’m not sure we see that level of performance previously or maybe since.”
Rudiger memorably went unpunished for body-checking Kevin De Bruyne in Chelsea’s 1-0 Champions League final win, as the Man City superstar was subbed off with a facial injury, as post-match tests revealed a fractured nose and eye socket.
But Chelsea failed to persuade the German to sign a new contract during the following season, as he joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
And just as well, as Tuchel would be sacked from Chelsea just a few months later in September 2022.
He has made 118 appearances for the Spanish club, winning LaLiga and the Champions League last term.
His Los Blancos contract ends in June 2026.
Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointment
WITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.
That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.
Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.