Antonio Rudiger will leave Chelsea in the summer, according to Thomas Tuchel.

The defender, who is nearing the end of his contract, has been linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain, and his agency met with Barcelona officials last month to discuss a possible summer transfer.

Chelsea manager Tuchel stated to Sky Sports after Chelsea's 1-0 win against West Ham: "The situation is that he wants to leave the club." In a private conversation, he informed me of this.

"We gave everything-me and the club-but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions, we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision.

"He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room. The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind that plays 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He has been a top defender in the last one-and-a-half years for me. We then need to find another solution. "

In the press conference that followed, Tuchel confirmed the decision was not a factor in his absence at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"He's injured." No concerns from him, "he added. In the groin and in the other leg, a bit of hamstring. He is somebody who plays through pain anyway. It's not even an injury, and he feels insecure. He'll come back to training on Tuesday ahead of Thursday. "

The news that Rudiger is leaving Chelsea is far from a shock. This was not a bolt out of the blue for Blues boss Tuchel.