Thomas Tuchel confirms Antonio Rudiger has decided to leave Chelsea

 has decided to leave 

at the end of the season, according to reports. The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and prior to the sanctioning of Chelsea owner 

Roman Abramovich

, no deal had been agreed over an extension for the Germany international

"The situation is that he wants to leave the club. He informed me of this in a private talk. "We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore because of the actions," he said. "Toni, the media is on it. The situation is that he wants to leave the club."

"He informed me of this in a private talk. We gave everything - me and the club - but we could not fight anymore because of the actions. Without the sanctions, we would at least be able to carry on fighting, but our hands are tied. We don't take it personally. It is his decision."

"He is a key figure and will stay that way until the end of the season. But it is disappointing. We will miss him a lot. He gives courage in the dressing room. The kind everyone is afraid of, but the kind to play 50-55 games at an outstanding level. He is a top defender in the last one and a half years for me. We then need to find another solution." 

Thomas Tuchel

 concluded the statement.

Follow

for the