Rudiger played a part in persuading Werner to join Chelsea.

Rudiger played a part in persuading Werner to secure a move to Chelsea.

Germany defender Antonio Rudiger has revealed he often spoke to Timo Werner during the COVID-19 lockdown to convince the striker to join Chelsea.

The Blues centre-half, who played alongside the RB Leipzig hitman at Stuttgart, compared him to Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, adding that Werner will be a big threat to Premier League defenders.

Werner, 24, agreed a five-year deal to join Chelsea in a €50m (£45m) deal, subject to a medical, but will be with Leipzig for the rest of the 2019-20 Bundesliga season before moving to Stamford Bridge in July.

"I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time,' Rudiger told Chelsea TV.

More: Chelsea forward Pulisic can't wait to play alongside Timo Werner.

"We spoke a lot during the lockdown and he told me he was interested in coming to England. Of course, then I did my bit, what I had to do."

He continued: "He's a really big threat to defenders. RB Leipzig is a more counter-attacking team but in terms of attacking the defensive line, he's similar to Vardy. He has a lot of pace and if the defender makes a mistake and loses the ball, then he goes!"

Speaking of Werner's personality off the pitch, Rudiger said: "I would say he's a quiet, humble guy, always ready to do better.

“I hope he adapts very quickly when he comes because as we all know this competition is different than others."

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