Antonio Rüdiger explains decision to leave Chelsea | OneFootball

Antonio Rüdiger has said a heartfelt goodbye to Chelsea ahead of his departure from the club this summer.

Rüdiger’s contract will expire at the end of the season and with the club unable to agree a new deal, he will leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer, with Real Madrid mooted as a likely destination.

And in a lengthy interview with the Players’ Tribune released on Friday morning, the German international has reflected on his time at the club and offered an insight into why he is leaving.

“Unfortunately, my contract negotiations had already started to get difficult last fall,” said Rüdiger.

“Business is business, but when you don’t hear any news from the club from August to January, the situation becomes complicated.

“After the first offer, there was a long gap of just nothing. We’re not robots, you know? You cannot wait for months with so much uncertainty about your future. Obviously, no one saw the sanctions coming, but in the end, other big clubs were showing interest, and I had to make a decision. I will leave it at that, because business aside, I have nothing bad to say about this club.

“Chelsea will always be in my heart. London will always be my home. I came here alone, and now I have a wife and two beautiful kids. I also have a new brother for life named Kova. I have an FA Cup, a Europa League and a Champions League medal.

“And of course, I have hundreds of memories that will stay with me forever.”

Rüdiger joined Chelsea from Roma in the summer of 2017 and went on to lift the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League with the club.