Pat Nevin argued that Antonio Rudiger is probably the finest man marker in world football currently, speaking on MAH.
Rudiger has romped back into contention under Thomas Tuchel after being left out to dry by Frank Lampard.
His recent performances have earned the right to be one of the first names scribbled down on the Blues team sheet.
A commanding presence at centre-back, Rudiger instals a ruthlessness to the defence that none of his comrades can quite match.
Nevin recognised that the 28-year-old had an invaluable skill that made him such a precious commodity for Chelsea.
The former Blues winger said: “Toni (Rudiger) is decent on the ball, he’s not the best I’ve ever seen.
“But as a marker, as a killer, as a destroyer of attackers, I don’t think there’s many better in world football than him. He is an absolute brilliant man to man defender.”
There is seemingly a shift away from the ‘traditional’ centre-half that simply loves to head, kick and tackle his opponents.
Players in that position are now trained to be elegant in possession. Worrying about protecting their own goal is now secondary.
Not for Rudiger. The giant German loves a physical battle, like the one he enjoyed against Luis Suarez during Chelsea’s Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid.
It is this merciless nature that has been so beneficial to Tuchel’s tightening of his rear guard.
Since he took over in January, the Blues have kept 13 clean sheets from a possible 17 games. Rudiger’s been involved in 11 of them.
His next task is to try and stop Porto’s attackers later today, where Chelsea is aiming to make it into a European semi-final.
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