Rudiger’s departure could see more Blues stars head for exit

CHELSEA were determined to avoid a dangerous precedent over Antonio Rudiger. The centre-back will walk away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, after rejecting the chance to become the club’s highest-paid defender of all time, on £230,000 a week.

While the club’s hierarchy were prepared to go to such levels to keep hold of the Germany international (right), they were conscious of the risk of more players looking to run their contracts down to receive huge pay-days.

They already face a race against time to keep hold of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, who are both set to enter the final 12 months of their current deals. And with Andreas Christensen also set to walk away this summer as a free agent, there is a growing pattern of players being allowed to enter the final stages of their contracts.

That raises the prospect of Chelsea having to watch valuable assets go for nothing — or offer huge deals to keep them at the club.

Rudiger’s situation has been complicated by the sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich, which prevent Chelsea from handing out newc ontracts until the club is sold. But the offer of £230,000 a week was made before their Russian owner had his assets frozen — and it was w determined the figures required requ to keep hold of the defender would de be too much. Real R Madrid are favourites to land the 29-year-old, while Christensen is set to join Barcelona.

Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is Chelsea’s top defensive target this summer, with Leicester’s Wesley Fofana also on their radar. Thomas Tuchel admits it will be a challenge to replace Rudiger. “Even when the sanctions are in the past, it will be incredibly difficult,” he said. “Toni is what he is: a big personality, a big leader, so it will be challenging. But, like always, there will be Chelsea without Toni Rudiger and we will find solutions.”

Rudiger missed the 1-0 win against West Ham with a groin injury, but Tuchel insists he will continue to play the German for the remainder of the campaign. “I have absolutely no concerns,” he said.

Meanwhile, Steve Pagliuca’s camp are angry over claims his bid to buy Chelsea will be dismissed this week, leaving the consortiums led by Todd Boehly and Sir Martin Broughton to battle it out for the club. Pagliuca is understood to remain in contention.