Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has singled out Antonio Rudiger for praise after getting the better of Liverpool winger Mo Salah in the Carabao Cup final.
The Egyptian barely made an impression on the game during the 120 minutes, with the exception of his missed one-on-one opportunity, and Cole says Rudiger deserves massive credit for keeping quiet the player he regards as the world’s best:
“The quality on the pitch, even the quality of defending from both teams. I thought Rudiger was outstanding. How he dealt with Mo Salah, who I think is the best player in the world at the moment.”
Rudiger was one of the key reasons why the Blues kept a clean sheet yesterday, and while it didn’t end up proving enough, following the loss on penalties, the German’s performance should not be forgotten.
However, it again raises questions about the 28-year-old’s future. As things stand, the defender will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season when his contract expires.
The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been mentioned as potential destinations for Rudiger but it will be hoped that Chelsea can reach an agreement over an extension before the summer.
