Chelsea: Tuchel hails 'oustanding' team after Atletico win
Antonio Rudiger has reportedly told Chelsea to shelve plans to discuss a contract extension until after the European Championships. The centre-back, who has turned his fortunes around under Thomas Tuchel, does not want any distractions between now and the end of the season as he targets silverware for both club and country.
Antonio Rudiger has put Chelsea contract talks on hold (Image: GETTY)
Rudiger is now a regular starter for the Blues as part of a back-three and was excellent in the midweek win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The 28-year-old is now in the final 18 months of his deal and Chelsea are keen to offer him an extension.
However, The Athletic now claim that Rudiger has told the club to hold off talks until after the European Championships.
Chelsea are currently on course for a top-four finish and have been handed a favourable Champions League quarter-final draw against Porto.
Rudiger wants to remain focused on helping his side achieve something special, while cementing his place in Germany's squad in June.
Before the second leg against Atletico, Rudiger admitted that he was close to departing Stamford Bridge last October.
"I was close (to leaving)," Rudiger said. "There were really like two teams, maybe one team I was considering, that was PSG to be honest.
"There was (a) call also with [Jose] Mourinho, but this is something at the end of the day that didn't happen, and with Tuchel also, (but it) didn't happen.
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