Reported Tottenham Hotspur target and Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger is the second-best defender in the Premier League after Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
That’s according to BBC pundit and former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.
Sutton is a huge fan of Rudiger, linked with a move to Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, and believes that he is second only to Liverpool defender Van Dijk in the Premier League.
The Englishman has outlined what makes the 28-year-old Germany international centre-back so good.
Eurosport reported last week that Tottenham are putting forward a strong proposal for the defender.
Spurs want to sign Rudiger on a free transfer in the summer of 2022 when his contract at Chelsea runs out.
Tottenham target Antonio Rudiger and Virgil van Dijk
Sutton said about Rudiger on The Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live (7:39pm, December 13, 2021): “I think he is a superb defender, I really do. Second to Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League. He has aggression, he is decent enough on the ball, he is composed. He is a real driving force.”
Former Tottenham forward Garth Crooks wrote on BBC Sport: “Regular readers will know how highly I rate Rudiger. The Germany international has been outstanding for Chelsea for some time. He made my team of the season and if he keeps playing the way he is at the moment, he’s odds-on to do it again.”
The BBC pundit added: “There is some speculation Rudiger might still have contractual issues with Chelsea. If that is the case I suggest they solve them very quickly.
“Stick him in a Manchester United shirt, for example, and suddenly they become a very attractive proposition. In plain language, Chelsea simply cannot afford to lose him – and certainly not to one of their rivals.”
Tottenham Hotspur should make move
In our opinion, Tottenham should make a move for Rudiger in the summer of 2022.
They simply have to.
Now, of course, if the defender signs a new contract with Chelsea in the coming months, then there is nothing that Tottenham can do.
However, if the 28-year-old becomes a free agent at the end of the season, then Tottenham should do everything they can to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Rudiger is a very capable defender who is at the top of his game.
So, the 28-year-old would be able to make an immediate impact on the team.
Moreover, Rudiger is reportedly asking for £180,000 to £200,000 per week as salary.
That is not really much in footballing terms, especially when you consider that he will not cost anything in transfer fee.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
