Chelsea centre back Antonio Rudiger says he is happy to have been given the opportunity by manager Antonio Conte to play in the team so early in the season, but he knows he needs to learn and improve his game to perform well in the Premier League.
The German international was a substitute in the Community Shield against Arsenal at the start of the month but has started all three Premier League matches so far in the Blues’ back three.
Speaking to German newswire service SID (via Zeit.de), the 24 year old believes he has joined a team who have already mastered Conte’s tactical plans, and he is working hard on trying to make it to that level:
“The team has become masterminds, and it is important to be able to dedicate themselves and work hard, but I must and will prove myself here permanently.
“Although I joined the team a bit later on [after] the Confed Cup, I got my chances early in the season, I was very well received here, and from the first day I felt the confidence of the people in charge”
So far, various circumstances have meant the German has been chosen to start in all of the club’s league matches. Victor Moses was suspended for the defeat against Burnley, forcing Cesar Azpilicueta to play wing back rather than in his more recognised right centre back role. Against Tottenham and Everton, captain Gary Cahill was suspended so it will be interesting to see where he fits in on the England international’s return.
