Chelsea conceded 63 objectives final season within the Premier League, the best variety of objectives conceded by the membership in recent times, with their subsequent closest being 54 conceded within the 19/20 season, within the final 10-year span.
Structural points beneath Mauricio Pochettino, an array of defensive configurations attributable to accidents and kind, and an open, expansive enjoying fashion led to Chelsea’s poorest defensive season in 10+ years.
Fortunately, the Blues have managed to subject the identical again 4 (5 together with the goalkeeper) of their first three Premier League video games of the season, with Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella, with their solely change coming within the fourth sport, because of the absence of Gusto.
Chelsea did as soon as, nevertheless, have an distinctive centre-back who starred for them within the top-flight however they ended up having a howler with him.
Antonio Rüdiger at Chelsea
Antonio Rüdiger joined Chelsea in 2017, signing for a charge of round £34m from Roma. The German spent 5 years on the membership, enjoying beneath a number of managers, corresponding to Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarr, Frank Lampard, and Thomas Tuchel.
Rudiger made 203 appearances for the Blues, scoring 12 objectives and offering 5 assists throughout this time, and totaling 17,887 minutes performed. His greatest stint got here beneath German boss Tuchel, who praised him as “world-class” again in 2022.
The German worldwide gained 5 main trophies for the Blues in his time, together with the Champions League within the 2020/21 season, in what was a profitable spell for him at Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger then noticed out his contract and joined Actual Madrid on a free switch (£0), regardless of being price €50.00m (£42.2m) at his peak in accordance with Transfermarkt. That is greater than the £38m charge Chelsea obtained for Conor Gallagher this summer time.
Chelsea managed to promote Gallagher to Atlético Madrid for this charge, regardless of solely having one yr left on his deal, displaying their capacity to generate a charge for gamers, even with contracts expiring. Sadly, attributable to an possession change on the time, the Blues have been unable to barter contracts, which means they could not supply Rudiger a brand new deal even when they tried.
The error the season prior, to permit Rudiger to enter the final yr of his contract with out both extracting a charge or signing a brand new deal, is in the end what led to the German leaving on a free, one thing the brand new house owners are eager to keep away from occurring once more, as seen with the Gallagher scenario this summer time.
Rudiger at Actual Madrid
Since becoming a member of Madrid, Rudiger has made 107 appearances, scoring 4 objectives, offering three assists, and totaling 8,478 minutes. He has additionally already gained seven trophies, together with one other Champions League triumph, and a La Liga title.
Madrid followers have fallen in love with Rudiger, with even Roberto Carlos stating he has “the hassle, the dedication, the dedication” to put on the Actual Madrid shirt. And it’s that precise ardour and dedication that Chelsea may undoubtedly use now.
Rudiger vs Colwill vs Fofana comparability | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Stats (per 90 minutes) | Rudiger | Colwill | Fofana |
Progressive Carries | 0.60 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
Progressive Passes | 5.40 | 5.25 | 2.75 |
Passes Tried | 70.2 | 74.8 | 66.8 |
Cross Completion % | 90.6% | 92.3% | 91.4% |
Passes into Closing Third | 5.00 | 5.25 | 4.75 |
Tackles | 0.60 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
Blocks | 1.20 | 1.50 | 1.75 |
Interceptions | 0.67 | 1.13 | 1.25 |
Aerials Gained | 2.00 | 2.50 | 0.75 |
Stats taken from FBref | |||
The metrics from this season thus far, are indicator of why stats do not at all times inform you the complete story. Ruidger has averaged the fewest tackles per 90, blocks per 90, and interceptions per 90, between the trio of defenders, however this is able to primarily be because of the quantity of transitions Chelsea need to defend, in comparison with Actual Madrid.
A lot of the defensive sweeping for Madrid is completed by Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield, taking away numerous defensive actions wanted by the central defenders. Rudiger shines as a 1v1 defender, duelist, and aggressor, placing opposition forwards off together with his sheer presence.
The German does show to be probably the most progressive passer although, averaging 5.40 per 90, carefully contested by Colwill who averages 5.25 per 90. General, Chelsea may undoubtedly do with a defensive specialist like Rudiger, who would carry that management again to their line of defense, and I am certain they remorse the way in which through which he was allowed to go away on a free.
