John Terry Reveals Surprise Foreign Player He Wished Played for England Under Thomas Tuchel
Former England captain, John Terry, has surprised fans by revealing the foreign player he believes would have been a fantastic addition to an England squad, especially one managed by Thomas Tuchel – although it’s important to note Tuchel has never managed England’s national team.
Terry’s comments come after the recent England squad announcement for World Cup qualifiers. While the article mentions Tuchel naming an England squad, it’s understood that Gareth Southgate is the current England manager, not Thomas Tuchel. This squad selection saw some unexpected faces included for the crucial matches against Albania and Latvia.
Notable omissions from the squad included in-form players like James Maddison, Jack Grealish, and Conor Gallagher. Meanwhile, experienced players such as Jordan Henderson, and Chelsea defender Reece James, rejoined the national team setup.
Amidst discussions about which players will shine for England on the international stage, John Terry, a celebrated former captain, has highlighted a foreign player who he thinks possesses the qualities to have thrived for England, if eligibility rules permitted.
While many might expect Terry to name attacking stars like Gareth Bale, prolific goalscorer Erling Haaland, or Bayern Munich’s talented Jamal Musiala as dream England signings, Terry opted for a different, perhaps more unexpected, player. Speaking to SPORTbible while promoting the Club World Cup on DAZN, Terry revealed his surprising pick.
“There’s a lot of good players but I’m going to go with Rudiger actually,” Terry stated. He elaborated on his choice, praising the player’s core defensive attributes: “He’s strong, quick and can chip in with the odd goal here and there.”
Terry further emphasized Rudiger’s passionate approach to defending, adding: “He’s one player who I look at who just loves defending and loves playing against the top players, he thrives on it. He’s a top top player.”
Antonio Rudiger, a German international centre-back, spent four successful seasons at Chelsea. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he made over 200 appearances and was instrumental in Chelsea’s triumphs, including the Champions League victory in 2020/21 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022.
Following his Chelsea exit, Rudiger joined Spanish giants Real Madrid, where his impressive performances have continued. He has added to his trophy cabinet with Real Madrid, accumulating another eight titles, including another Champions League trophy last season. In total, he has played 143 games for Real Madrid so far.
Rudiger’s international career with Germany began in 2014. The defender has since earned 77 caps for his nation, representing Germany in major tournaments such as the European Championships and the World Cup.
Antonio Rudiger made 79 appearances under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. (Image: Getty)
Rudiger and Tuchel: A Strong Player-Manager Relationship
Antonio Rudiger’s connection with Thomas Tuchel is well-documented from their time together at Chelsea. During his time playing under Tuchel for Chelsea, Rudiger made 79 appearances, often featuring prominently in the left side of a defensive three. This is despite strong competition, including from the impressive Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in current England discussions.
Rudiger himself has spoken highly of Tuchel. In a previous interview with Goal, the German international stated, “I’ve definitely had a lot of good coaches. If I had to choose one now, it would be Thomas Tuchel. I got on particularly well with him. His honest manner simply suited me. Also, when I look at his tactical understanding: Wow!”
After initially struggling to cement his place at Chelsea under Frank Lampard, Rudiger’s career took a significant turn under Tuchel’s guidance. He became a cornerstone of the Chelsea defense, widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best defenders. Remarkably, in his first 21 appearances under Tuchel, Chelsea kept an impressive 14 clean sheets, highlighting the transformative impact of the manager on both Rudiger and the team’s defensive solidity.
Rudiger’s Key Attributes according to John Terry:
- Strength
- Speed
- Goal-scoring contribution
- Passion for defending
- Thrives against top opponents
Rudiger’s Career Highlights:
- Champions League Winner (Chelsea & Real Madrid)
- FIFA Club World Cup Winner (Chelsea)
- Over 200 Appearances for Chelsea
- Over 140 Appearances for Real Madrid
- 77 Caps for Germany
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