Chelsea defender discusses the German manager’s demands, feeling like the bogeyman and learning not to fight
“A lot of people don’t know me,” Antonio Rüdiger says as he considers how perceptions of him have changed since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival at Chelsea in January. Rüdiger has been one of the most watchable players in the Premier League this season, entertaining supporters with aggressive defending, powerful runs and expressive mannerisms, but he does not feel any different. “I have always been as I am now,” he continues. “It’s just that things are going well. Obviously everyone has their opinion. I’ve always been the same Toni.”
According to Rüdiger, that Toni is “a guy who is serious about his own things,” but with a penchant for creating a good vibe in the dressing room. He bats away suggestions that he is a joker, but he is hardly a shrinking violet on the pitch. He is tough on opposition forwards and he showed his humour when he stuck out his tongue at Chelsea’s fans after winning a penalty during their recent victory over Malmö. “This is just how I am on the pitch,” he says. “It’s pure emotion.”
