Mesut Ozil has criticized Chelsea for allowing Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger to leave and referred to Rudiger as the top defender in the world.

After five years with Chelsea—during which he helped the Blues win the FA Cup, Europa League, and Champions League—Rudiger left for the Spanish powerhouses on a free transfer 18 months ago.

After a 1-0 victory over Mallorca on Wednesday, Real moved to the top of La Liga with a goal from Rudiger. After the game, Carlo Ancelotti, the manager, spoke highly of the German national team player.

“He has taken advantage of others’ injuries,” Ancelotti remarked. He maintains an exceptionally high level of performance. In a duels, he is always prepared. He is a safety net that we may rely on. He is absolutely killing it.

“Prime Toni Rudiger is just the world’s best defender at the moment,” Ozil responded to Ancelotti’s social media comments. My old team, Real Madrid, had an unbelievable season. You might also inquire with Haaland or Osimhen about his skill level.

“Since he departed, Chelsea has gone through a lot…” Every day, they long for his mindset… Despite Rudiger’s eventual departure on a free transfer after his contract ended, the 30-year-old lodged a critical essay against Chelsea in The Players’ Tribune, claiming the club could have done more to persuade him to remain.

“Unfortunately, my contract negotiations had already started to get difficult last fall,” writes Rudiger. “Business is business, but when you don’t hear any news from the club from August to January, the situation becomes complicated.”There was a considerable void following the initial offer. Neither of us is a machine, you know? With so much unknown about what lies ahead, you cannot bear to wait for months. Ultimately, other major clubs expressed interest, and I was forced to make a choice, even though nobody anticipated the sanctions.

Apart from professional matters, I do not have any negаtive things to sаy regarding this club, so I will just leave it at that. My heart will always hold Chelsea. My home will forever be in London. Even though I arrived here single, I’ve already found a wife and two lovely children.

Kova [Mateo Kovacic] is my new lifelong brother. The FA Cup, the Europa League, and the Champions League are all in my possession. Naturally, there are countless recollections that will endure indelibly in my mind.