Michael Dawson and Neil Warnock have been chatting about Antonio Rudiger on Soccer Saturday, with Tottenham interested in signing the Chelsea man.
What’s the story?
Well, sat alongside Jeff Stelling, Paul Merson and Clinton Morrison, Dawson and Warnock criticised the £29m defender.
Firstly, former Tottenham colossus Michael Dawson questioned his display against Brentford, saying: “His celebration was over the top, for me. He’s leaving, he runs over to the manager, and gives him a cuddle! Concentration.”
Then, Warnock added: “If you play a back four, he’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Clearly, the pair do not rate Rudiger, and feel that he is given a lot of protection playing in a three-man centre-back system under Thomas Tuchel.
It was Eurosport who revealed that Spurs are monitoring the German’s situation, with his contract set to expire in June.
As things stand, Chelsea are unable to offer him a new deal, after the UK Government sanctioned Roman Abramovich.
Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are also said to be interested in the 29-year-old, who will be one of the hottest free agents on the market this summer.
Antonio Rudiger would thrive at Tottenham
In our view – despite what Dawson and Warnock think – Rudiger would shine under Antonio Conte at Tottenham.
Interestingly, amid the conversation about Chelsea’s No.2, Merson claimed that he’s the “best around” when used in a three-man centre-back system.
Crucially, that is the same shape Conte uses at Spurs, so with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier beside him, Rudiger would have everything he needs to thrive in north London.
Of course, swapping Chelsea for Tottenham would surely ruin his reputation at Stamford Bridge, so he must consider that.
However, if a move does materialise, we’d expect Rudiger to hit the ground running in N17.
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