Antonio Rudiger has outlined why he is determined to return to favour at Chelsea after finding himself frozen out in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
Rudiger is yet to make a first-team appearance this season and has featured in just one matchday squad after falling out-of-favour under Frank Lampard, the arrival of summer signing Thiago Silva increasing competition for places at centre-back.
The Germany international was strongly linked with an exit before the transfer deadline with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham reportedly interested in his services, but will remain at Chelsea until the winter window at least after a move failed to materialise.
Rudiger has now vowed to fight for his place after falling to fifth choice under Lampard this season, revealing how the club’s soft stance on a potential exit persuaded him he can still have a future at Stamford Bridge.
“The club didn’t tell me that it was absolutely necessary for me to find a new club and that they definitely didn’t have me in their plans for the next few months,” Rudiger told The Athletic.
“I also turned down one or two options myself. I wasn’t prepared to pack it all in simply because I had been left out a few times. I enjoy living in London and like being at Chelsea.
“Naturally, I looked at a couple of options in the two weeks before the end of the transfer window.
“There was a possibility of a loan deal, in order for me to get more game time. Due to many different reasons and the shortage of time, nothing materialised in the end.
“It is what it is now. I will accept it for the time being and try to show myself in every training session.
“We are in many different competitions, it’s two games per week all the way from now. Sometimes in football, things can change very quickly.
“That’s why I will continue to give my best every day and try to convince the manager.”
