Chelsea will once again attack the transfer market this summer as they aim to return to the top of the Premier League and Europe.
By all accounts, Chelsea are continuing to plan for the future alongside Enzo Maresca despite an indifferent first season at the club.
Perhaps under the club’s previous ownership, Maresca would already be gone, however Todd Boehly and BlueCo seem keen to give the Italian more time.
And in addition to Chelsea wanting to re-sign Marc Guehi this summer, the Blues are also now targeting an even more audacious return.
Chelsea have failed to replace Thiago Silva’s leadership since he left last summer, and they might have now identified the perfect candidate to plug that gap.
Chelsea want to bring Antonio Rudiger back to Stamford Bridge
According to Football Transfers, Chelsea are now exploring a move to bring Antonio Rudiger back to the club.
Chelsea are said to have reached out to Rudiger’s camp to be kept in the loop when it comes to the 32-year-old’s future.
READ MORE: Chelsea interested in £60m striker who Mikel Arteta was desperate to sign for Arsenal
Boehly’s side are ready to explore a move for Rudiger if they are given the go ahead on the player’s side.
The report explains that Rudiger’s behaviour has become ‘difficult’ at Real Madrid of late, suggesting that a change might be on the cards.
And Chelsea themselves have no concerns over Rudiger’s personality — in fact they believe that Maresca’s squad is lacking that kind of big character.
Of course, Rudiger did choose to leave Stamford Bridge as a free agent to head to Spain in 2022, a decision he explained on ‘The Inside Scoop’ podcast.
Rudiger said: “There was a gap then, there wasn’t even talks and I was still playing at my best week in, week out.
“But on the other hand, I had in my head that the Champions League that I won could be my ticket to the biggest club in the world, Real Madrid. Real Madrid don’t knock twice.”
Paul Merson says Frank Lampard caused Antonio Rudiger to leave
Interestingly, Paul Merson actually blamed Frank Lampard for Rudiger’s decision to leave Chelsea when writing for Sky Sports.
Merson shared his comments in 2022 when it was announced that Rudiger would be leaving, something he blamed on Lampard for how he treated the defender more than a year earlier.
Merson said: “Losing Rudiger to Real Madrid is going to break Chelsea’s heart – but his mind was made up 18 months ago with the way he was treated by Lampard.
“He got completely binned out the team by Lampard and I think that left a lasting effect on Rudiger. That’s when he decided that he’s not signing a new contract.
“Years ago, if Real Madrid and Barcelona came calling then you went. I don’t see that anymore. Chelsea are as good as Real Madrid, you can see that in the Champions League quarter-final.
“The Blues had a bad 45 minutes but apart from that, they were a far superior team to Real Madrid.
“Now Chelsea are letting a £70m-80m defender go on a free transfer and they’re going to bring someone in for £70m who will be nowhere as good as Rudiger.”
