Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea is the perfect club for Antonio Rudiger and hopes the centre-back decides to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger’s contract runs out at the end of the season and Chelsea are yet to reach an agreement on terms for an extension.
Sky Sports News has been told Chelsea will have to make the Germany international one of their highest-paid players if they wish to keep him, with six of European football’s top clubs interested in his services.
Despite time running out to find a solution, Rudiger has not allowed the uncertainty to impact his performances, and head coach Tuchel has praised the professionalism of the 28-year-old defender.
“It does not affect his mentality, it does not affect his quality and it does absolutely not affect his behaviour,” said Tuchel, who watched Rudiger open the scoring in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Leicester.
“He is fully committed to Chelsea right now. I am absolutely sure he feels the trust and respect and the love from the club and from the spectators.
“He is a big competitor and he is in exactly the right spot. He is in the most competitive league, he is at a club where he really matters and that suits him perfectly, so let’s be patient and hopefully we have a good ending.”