Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has revealed his discussions with Timo Werner during the lockdown with the intention to make the striker sign for the Blues.

The German striker, who has scored 26 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances this season, will move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the month after the west London club activated his £47.5million release clause.

Werner had been heavily linked to a move to Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp barely hiding his desire to bring the striker to Anfield from RB Leipzig.

But Reds were unable to pull through a deal for Werner because of the financial implications invloved in the move as a result of the adverse effects of coronavirus pandemic.

And, now Rudiger has come out to with the background information as to how he influenced Werner move to Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger told Chelsea’s website that: “Like everyone, I’m very excited that he’s chosen Chelsea and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“I’ve known him since he was 17 and he did very good in the past few years. He can be very important for us.

“I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time.

“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.

“I would say he’s a quiet, humble guy, always ready to do better,’ Rudiger added of Werner’s personality off the pitch.

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