Antonio Rudiger Reflects on Experiencing Joy & Hatred During Five-Year Spell at Chelsea

In an article published on the Players' Tribune, Rudiger was given the opportunity to wish his Blues fans a farewell following his five year stint at the club.

"I leave this club with a heavy heart," he wrote. "It has meant everything to me. Even this season, with all the complications, has been enjoyable.

"Football is football. We are blessed to play a game for a living that we would play for free anyway.

"In fact, when the financial restrictions were being rumoured, we were all laughing about having to take a bus or a smaller plane or whatever to the matches. I mean, a small plane? 

Rudiger went on to reveal his experiences with joy and hatred in football over the last five years.

"There is hatred in the football world, for sure. That’s a fact. I have experienced the worst of it. But there is also a lot of joy, too. At Chelsea, I experienced both extremes.

"Yes, I heard the abuse. But I also felt the love. At the end of the day, the light was stronger than the darkness.

"For that, I will always be Chelsea. Thank you, Rudi."