The FA Cup final had an unusual audience from Madrid. And a player had a large part of the responsibility in it: Ruediger. The German, who will be a Real Madrid player next season, was closely watched by many who will be his fans in a few months. He, inevitably, knew that this final was much more than that; also a showcase to show that what is coming is top. And he fulfilled his mission, carrying out a prankster who justified the figures of his cache (according to Transfermarkthas a value of 35 million euros).
His numbers were outstandingleading a defense of three centre-backs alongside Thiago Silva and Chalobah. In 120 minutes of play, Liverpool only had one shot on goalbeing forced to make another four out… And being blocked two, one precisely by Rüdiger. His accuracy in passes exceeded 90% and in duels won, 75%, being the central defender with the best figures in the latter. Tuchel entrusted him with the hard task of first stopping Salah and, after the Egyptian’s injury, louis diazwho was the most electric player on the Reds.
Statistics of Antonio Rüdiger in Premier League this season.
BeSoccer
With another two hours on his legs, he further entrenched himself as the player who has played the most minutes this season at Chelsea (4,740′), ahead of Mendy (4,259′), Thiago Silva (3,677′) and Mason Mount (3,576′). This course has already 194 duels won and he is one of the center backs in Europe with the best success in long passes, hovering around perfection (according to statistics from BeSoccerhas a 96% in this facet). Rüdiger, the center back who admires Pepe, also starred in one of the anecdotes of the final, throwing himself with everything to block a shot from Keita… Although that could cost him a serious blow.
Rüdiger throws himself with everything to block a shot from Keita.
Destination Madrid
As AS has been telling, he passed the medical examination after signing last week until 2026. It will also have a clause of €450M. According to journalist Patrick Berger, he will earn €7M net plus bonuses. His transfer, which has already been fully agreed upon, will be officially announced after the Champions League final on the 28th in Paris. Toni will reinforce a defense that, with him, will have five central defenders: Militao, Alaba, Nacho and Vallejo. And with a performance like the one in the FA Cup final, the competition will be very tough.
Furthermore, after the match against los redsspoke for the first time of his departure. “I don’t want to go too deep into the subject. There was a possibility, but the (Chelsea) sanctions weren’t the problem.”, confessed the center-back, who handled higher offers than those of the white team (Bayern, PSG), when asked if the economic instability of the Londoners after Abramovich’s departure was a problem. The balance opted for the white project.