Toni Rudiger explains Chelsea U-turn: I now feel better | OneFootball

Toni Rudiger has revealed he's now rethinking his future at Chelsea.

Having pushed to leave over the summer, the Germany defender is now warming to staying at Stamford Bridge long-term.

Chelsea had made Rudiger available for loan over the summer market - a decision the defender was happy with at the time. Interest arrived from London rivals Tottenham and West Ham as well as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Barcelona.

But Chelsea's loan demands ultimately turned them off, with it reported they wanted the loan club to cover Rudiger's entire salary and also cough up a fee in the region of £5m for the 12 month deal.

Now back in the plans of manager Frank Lampard, Rudiger admits the entire episode has turned out well for him.

He explained to SID via Fussball Transfers: "I am satisfied with how the situation has developed for me in the past few weeks.

"(I now) see myself as a permanent part of the team."

Rudiger concedes he seriously considered cutting ties with Chelsea, though his mind was later settled after clear-the-air talks with Lampard.

Rudiger also said: "I had a very difficult time, so I also checked one or other transfer options.

"But after a short time during training I received positive signals from the coaching team."

This season Rudiger, contracted to Chelsea until 2022, has managed three appearances, twice in the Champions League and once - in Saturday's win at Newcastle United - in the Premier League.

- updated November 24