EPL: You’ll regret it – Petit warns Chelsea against letting ‘hardest defender’ leave Stamford Bridge

Former France International, Emmanuel Petit has warned Chelsea against letting Antonio Rudiger leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.

He advised the club to pay the Germany International whatever he wants to avoid letting him leave the club.

The 28-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and is yet to agree a new deal with the Blues.

Rudiger reportedly earns around £100,000 a week at Stamford Bridge but is demanding an improved deal worth about £200, 000

Bayern Munich have already shown interest in signing him and are ready to make him an offer that would be a huge rise on his current wages.

But Petit, a former Chelsea defender, reckons the club cannot afford to let him leave on a free in the summer.

“If he leaves, it would be a real pity for Chelsea,” Petit told bookmakers.co.uk.

“If I remember correctly before [Thomas] Tuchel came in he was on the bench and wasn’t playing. Now he looks like one of the best defenders around.

“He could leave on a free and Chelsea would have to spend a minimum of £30m to find a new defender of his level, and there’s never a guarantee a buy will work out.

“If he asks for two more years, just give him the money.

“For me, Rudiger is one of the hardest defenders in the world.”