Antonio Rudiger Assesses Frank Lampard, Tuchel’s Sides Ahead of Real Madrid Chelsea Champions League Tie

• Antonio Rudiger has insinuated the Chelsea side he played in is better than the current team
• Rudiger faces his former employers when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals
• The bullish German defender played an integral part in the Blues European success in 2021

Antonio Rudiger has taken a subtle dig at the current Chelsea squad, saying they are 'nothing like the Champions League winning squad'.

Rudiger is set to face his old club for the first time since departing, when Chelsea travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to face Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The centre-back left Chelsea on a free transfer at the end of last season. After a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital, he has since established his place in Carlo Ancelotti's backline and would be expected to feature.

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The German defender was part of the Blues squad that won the Champions League in 2021. However, in light of Chelsea's massive struggles this season, he feels Los Blancos will face a completely different side.

"The Chelsea team I played for is nothing like the current Chelsea team. But what is clear to me is that the match will be tough; they have plenty of quality players," he said as quoted by Goal.

Rudiger's time at Chelsea

Rudiger was in the Chelsea side when Real Madrid beat them last season en route to winning their 14th title. This is the third time the two clubs are facing each other in as many years in European's top club competition.

Ironically for the German, he will face a Blues side under the tutelage of a coach who froze him out during his first stint. Frank Lampard rarely used Rudiger, before Thomas Tuchel was appointed and resuscitated the former AS Roma defender.

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Apart from the bullish defender,, Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, and Timo Werner are the other members of the core Tuchel team that beat Manchester City in the 2021 final, who have since moved on to other clubs.

Rudiger relishes facing Chelsea

Sports Brief had earlier reported on Rudiger being eager to face Chelsea again following his side's draw in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

The hard-tackling centre-half made 203 appearances in five seasons during his stint at Stamford Bridge before trading London for Madrid last summer.

Rudiger will not be the only current Los Blancos star playing against his former club, with Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois in the same bracket.