https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/02/07/
rudiger-on-righting-wrongs-and-abuse-that-makes-him-stronger
Rudiger on righting wrongs and abuse that makes him stronger
07 Feb 2021
Having been part of the rearguard that did not concede a goal in the first
three games under Thomas Tuchel, and the side that beat one of the other
'big-six' teams for the first time this season on Thursday, Toni Rudiger
describes the new coach's attention to detail.
https://i.imgur.com/VdOkMCA.jpg
The defender also addresses racist abuse he has suffered on social media
in the wake of the replacement of Frank Lampard by the new man in charge.
Rudiger had regained his place in the side for the last couple of league
games under Lampard and has remained part of a reshaped back-three under
his compatriot Tuchel, and he believes the players are picking up the new
boss's thinking quickly.
'When we analysed the games against Wolverhampton and Burnley, I think we
adapted very good to it [the plan],' he said.
'Of course there will be some moments like against Tottenham in the second
half when we came out and we were a bit slower, but what was good was that
we showed mentality, we showed that we can suffer together and move
forward. The most important thing is the result, that is what we need at
the moment, and we got it.
https://i.imgur.com/QsNGjfE.jpg
Toni Rudiger and Thomas Tuchel after getting the better of Tottenham
'For me it is more important to look at the things that went wrong and to
make them better,' continues the German, 'because the good things you
don't need to speak about but you need to address things that have to be
better, and the coach is doing well on that.
'He is very detailed and that is good because that makes you always have
to perform on your best and that makes you also better, and me I like this
way.'
There were media stories after the departure of Lampard naming Rudiger as
someone who had caused difficulties. This led to shows of support from his
team-mates but also and totally unacceptably, among those commenting from
outside of the club on social media, there were some who resorted to
racist abuse. Chelsea is supporting Rudiger on this matter and is
investigating it, and will pass any relevant information to the police for
investigation, as was the case with abuse aimed at Reece James.
'I have been in the club into my fourth season and I have had four
different coaches, with Tuchel now, and it was never talked about when
Sarri left the club or when Conte left the club that players were involved
or something like this,' Rudiger points out.
'My conscience is clear. I know who I am and I know I did not do all that
nonsense that came out and for me in my head, I am very free. I am open
for every new coach, as I was open also for Mr Lampard.
https://i.imgur.com/Y8I7Vf6.jpg
Toni Rudiger in the heart of training
'I cannot control people's emotions but people should be human beings. Me,
I didn't post anything but the racial abuse was immense. This makes me
stronger because I know who I am, I can look in the mirror and I can
smile. I know I didn't do anything so for me this is forgotten.
'For me in life it is very important I can look in the mirror, I see
myself, I know who I am. Of course it hurts but in this case I just block
it out because I know I didn't do anything.'
Rudiger considers whether social media companies must do more to prevent
what he and others have experienced via their platforms.
'To be very honest I don't know about all these social media things but I
think the more people who make accounts, they make money off it. So me
personally, I think they don't really care because as you know, this money
has power so the rest doesn't matter, so it is hard to tell if people will
make a change on that.
'I feel sorry for that but I feel more sorry for people who are not strong
enough so it really affects them. Of course it affects me in a way too but
it is just in a way that makes me think that people are not normal, people
I am sorry to say are just stupid.'
After Reece James was abused, Chelsea Football Club issued a statement
calling for a social media environment where hateful and discriminatory
actions are as unacceptable online as they would be on the street.
As was discussed by Callum Hudson-Odoi yesterday, our owner Roman
Abramovich wrote to the players expressing how appalled he is by such
incidents and informing them there will be an increase in effort and
funding to counter it.