Chelsea Targets German International As Replacement For John Terry

Jose Mourinho is set to ignore his no.1 target and former player Raphael Varane as the search for Terry’s long term replacement hots on. The search for the would-be successor to club long standing captain and legend John Terry has seen a lot of young, talented defenders across Europe been linked to Chelsea.

This time, it is young German international and VFB Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger that is been linked to the blues. Reports have it that Chelsea is keeping tabs on the 21-year-old former Borussia Dortmund youth player.

Chelsea have been linked to a host of young centre backs in the world, top on the list being Real Madrid and French international Raphael Varane with boss Jose Mourinho claiming admiration for the Le Blancos’ 21-year-old. But with the hefty price tag of £40m placed on him by the Benerbue outfit, it seems Chelsea have shifted their attention to the young German Antonio Rudiger.

Already capped by the German national team, Rudiger is seen as one of the hottest prospect in European football and consequently considered by Jose Mourinho as the perfect like for like long term replacement for John Terry when he calls it quit on his club career.

Valued at around £7m, Chelsea won’t need to break the bank to sign him and the opportunity to play in one of the best young squad that Mourinho is assembling could be an attraction for the player who also have from West Ham United.

Chelsea though still have a number of young central defenders at the club already in the likes of Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen but Rudiger is seen as an upgrade to the two. His height of 1.90m or 6ft 3″ bodes well for him as a centre back. He is quick to the ball and good aerially. Can tackle well with both feet and could be an area threat at set pieces. Rudiger will be expected to serve as a cover for John Terry until he is ready to replace him.

He has represented Germany at the U-18, U-19, U-20, U-21 levels and has been capped three times by Joachim Low senior side. He has also made appearance in all of VFB Stuttgart’s league game this season though the German side is currently lying third from bottom on the log in Bundesliga.

A bid could be made for the 21-year-old as early as January in order to take the player away from the eyes of other suitors who could also be lining a move.

Chelsea’s defence has remained formidable with the partnership of John Terry and Gary Cahill which was one of the best in the Premier league last season. At 34, its not known how long John Terry will continue to perform at optimum level but Chelsea are already making preparations for the player’s retirement and quite a number of young players will be brought in to be an understudy with the hope of taking over from the veteran when he calls it quits on his Chelsea career.

Jose Mourinho is a manager that pays a great attention to his team’s defensive abilities as his first Chelsea squad during his first stint at the club have been hailed by many as one of the most difficult team to beat. The team conceded just 17times in the league in 2004/05 season with much credit to the defensive partnership of John Terry and William Carvalho. He will look to assemble such squad that will be capable of stifling opposition attack again.