Antonio Rudiger

[LAM09 6,051]

Such a big competition with Barkley, Zappacosta, Emerson,Baka, Drinkwater, Morata and Giroud [emoji3]

Caballero is a solid contender [emoji2]

[Pizy 16,265]

Our best overall CB when you combine all attributes, imo. Physical beast, great pace, comfortable on the ball, fantastic long passer, and doesn't take stupid, unnesecary risks. Unlike two of our other CB's (Cahill & Christensen) you'll see Rüdi just get rid of it or tackle the ball out of play rather than fumbling around trying to play out. He's a very smart player. He has probably been my favorite player of ours this season.

Wonder what happens when Zouma comes back in the summer since they share a similar skill set (Rüdi is quite a bit more polished, though). Both are too good to just be rotational players so unless Cahill goes or we move Azpi back to fullback in a back 4 I'm not sure where Zouma plays significant minutes.

[Superblue_1986 5,575]

He's impressed me a lot this season, and I can only see him getting better when he's only in his mid 20's.

Very comfortable on the ball, and fast, strong and powerful both in the air and across the ground he has all the attributes to be a top drawer defender. Some aspects to his game need improving but given both it is his first year in the Premier League and he has come back from a serious knee injury, the signs are very promising and he looks to be an excellent piece of business.

One other thing that I love is his mental strength. He looks someone who is willing to take on responsibility (in fact thrive from it), lead by example and give everything for the shirt. It's a typical German mentality and I love it. It's a big reason I was such a fan of Ballack, and why they are such a strong nation that are always there or thereabouts when it comes to competitive football.

[Magic Lamps 10,590]

3 hours ago, The Skipper said:

One of the only signings the club got right recently. Rüdiger 35m, VVD 75m. VVD isn’t twice the player Rüdiger is either, prettt much on a similar level/same tier imo. 

Rüdiger has put in great individual performance jsut as VVD. IMO as for their qualities they are on the same level. But VVD has solidified this Liverpool defence single handedly. This might be because his defensive partners like Lovren and Robertson are not exactly bad players but also because VVD experience in the pl helped him to organize the defence. I am positive tho that Rüdiger can achieve the same. I have seen a lot of interviews of him and he really is a humble, strong character who is not afraid to take responsibility but will do so on merit. If he can keep his attitude and and his level of play up i am sure he will become one of the great PL defenders.

[Stats 6,814]

Still has Salah tucked in his back pocket. Kept Salah quiet all game. Matched him physically and pace wise. Fantastic performance

[Special Juan 26,269]

Another great performance I really like this guy.

[Unionjack 7,530]

Must admit its taken awhile for me to like the lad. But hes not really done a bad job. I dont know why Ive not warmed to him. Maybe Im becoming a bit of a snob and only like big characters? Dunno.

But if he keeps playing like yesterday I dont give a toss how big a character he is.

Put a upgrade inbetween him and Dave and we got a great back 3.

Just have to wait n see then if we keep a 3 or a straight back 4 next year!

[Unionjack 7,530]

Another strange poll after the game yesterday from the BBC sport website. I'm sure we all thought he had a great game. Musta been scouse twats!

Antonio Rudiger voted second worst player against Liverpool despite excellent performance

http://www.chelsea-news.co/2018/05/antonio-rudiger-voted-second-worst-player-liverpool-despite-excellent-performance/

 

[manpe 10,676]

5 hours ago, Unionjack said:

Maybe Im becoming a bit of a snob and only like big characters? Dunno.

But if he keeps playing like yesterday I dont give a toss how big a character he is.

To me he looks like one of the strongest characters in our squad. Maybe it's his intimidating face?  But still, he plays, talks and looks like a bad mofo who will steamroll anybody in his way. I have liked him since his first appearance. If we go back to 2 CBs then I want him to be a mainstay at first, think he's got what it takes.

[robsblubot 2,732]

Don't think there can be any doubt that Rudiger is twice the player Zouma is. Don't think it's just level of development, but rather technique: while Rudiger is not a Luiz with the ball at his feet, he's still comfortable enough to play the ball. 

While Zouma obviously shouldn't take the blame for Stoke's defensive frailty, he did not cover himself in glory either. He's got power and energy, which at this level is just not enough.

[Blue Armour 3,386]

To add, he's been recorded as being among the top 10 fastest players in terms of top speed in the PL this season (no. 1 being Leroy Sane).

Not bad for a center back, eh?

 

[Unionjack 7,530]

Rude Boi 2018

 

[DDA 8,285]

9 hours ago, Robguima said:

. Don't think it's just level of development, but rather technique

Zouma has next to nothing in terms of technique on the ball. Rudiger far surpasses him in that major detail. Rudi is a fantastic player. The board got it bang on with this purchase. 

[Unionjack 7,530]

22 hours ago, DDA said:

Zouma has next to nothing in terms of technique on the ball. Rudiger far surpasses him in that major detail. Rudi is a fantastic player. The board got it bang on with this purchase. 

I love Happy and I want so much for him to be just what we wanted but I'm really not sure he can be. We really do need someone more technical than him. Being a defender now is more than just tackling.

[the wes 7,211]

4 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

I love Happy and I want so much for him to be just what we wanted but I'm really not sure he can be. We really do need someone more technical than him. Being a defender now is more than just tackling.

I would be happy with rudiger Christensen zouma and bring in KK from napoli as our 4 CB'S for next season the likes of cahill and Luiz need to go in the summer 

[Unionjack 7,530]

2 minutes ago, the wes said:

I would be happy with rudiger Christensen zouma and bring in KK from napoli as our 4 CB'S for next season the likes of cahill and Luiz need to go in the summer 

Wheres Dave?

[the wes 7,211]

Just now, Unionjack said:

Wheres Dave?

right back position

[DDA 8,285]

13 minutes ago, Unionjack said:

I love Happy and I want so much for him to be just what we wanted but I'm really not sure he can be. We really do need someone more technical than him. Being a defender now is more than just tackling.

It really is in this day and age. You can get away with sub par technical ability on the ball as a defender if you are immense at defending and pop up with goals. Zouma could always work on his passing but if you had to choose between him and Rudi, then for me it's a forgone conclusion.

[Unionjack 7,530]

4 minutes ago, the wes said:

right back position

Ah OK. Thought he got lost ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[Unionjack 7,530]

1 minute ago, DDA said:

It really is in this day and age. You can get away with sub par technical ability on the ball as a defender if you are immense at defending and pop up with goals. Zouma could always work on his passing but if you had to choose between him and Rudi, then for me it's a forgone conclusion.

And Happy as got one hell of a bonce for nodding in Daves long balls