I
was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, covering the Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Real Madrid. It was a pulsating match that ended 5-4 on aggregate to Madrid, but one moment stands out for me. It came in the aftermath of Mason Mount equalizing for Chelsea in the 18th minute. The Blues fans erupted, and I happened to be standing next to Rudiger, who was warming up on the touchline.Rudiger, a 29-year-old German centre-back, is not known for his goal celebrations. He is a defender, after all. But on this occasion, he could not resist. He ran to the corner flag and performed a little dance, much to the amusement of the crowd. It was a rare moment of joy for Rudiger, who has had to endure a difficult season.
While I was watching Rudiger warm up at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I got the chance to talk to him about his career. He told me how he had always dreamed of playing for Chelsea and how he was determined to prove himself at the club. He also spoke about his admiration for John Terry, who he considers to be one of the greatest defenders of all time.
I am a big fan of Rudiger and I am sure that he will be a success at Chelsea. He is a talented defender who is still only 29 years old. He has a lot of experience at the highest level and he is a winner. I am sure that he will play a key role in Chelsea's success in the years to come.