MESUT OZIL reckons Chelsea’s problems all started when they let Antonio Rudiger go.
And he believes the German is now the best defender on planet earth.
Rudiger, 30, quickly became a key player at Chelsea following a £30million move from Roma in 2017.
He won the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
But Rudiger ended up rejecting a late new contract offer to join Real Madrid as a free agent in 2022.
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The 66-time Germany international has blossomed further under Carlo Ancelotti.
And he is holding the fort single-handedly after fellow centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba both suffered season-ending injuries.
Rudiger’s performances have helped Real move top of the LaLiga table on goal difference.
Yet it’s been a very different story for old club Chelsea.
Despite new owner Todd Boehly spending £1billion on transfers, the Blues are languishing in 10th place.
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They only managed a 12th place finish in last season’s Premier League.
And since Rudiger’s exit, they have unsuccessfully worked their way through a plethora of replacements including Kalidou Koulibaly, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badisahile and Levi Colwill.
Former Arsenal, Real and Germany star Ozil reckons that Rudiger is now the best defender on the planet.
He scored the only goal of the game in Real’s 1-0 win over Mallorca yesterday.
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And Ozil, who retired from football last year after spells at Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehir, reckons people only need to look at Chelsea’s fortunes since his exit to realise just how good Rudiger is.
Responding to Ancelotti saying “Rudiger is playing at his best”, Ozil took to social media.
He wrote: “Prime Toni Rudiger is just the world’s best defender at the moment. Incredible season for my former club Real Madrid.
“You can also ask (Erling) Haalanad or (Victor) Osimhen how good he is!
“Look what has happened with Chelsea after he left… they are missing his mentality every day.”
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