Jamie Redknapp has labelled Antonio Rudiger as one of the world’s best defenders while assessing Germany ahead of their Euro 2020 last-16 clash against England.
The Chelsea and Germany centre-back enjoyed an excellent end to the season for his club, helping them win the Champions League and secure a top-four spot in the Premier League.
At Euro 2020, Rudiger has also featured in all three of Joachim Low’s side’s games so far as they secured their passage out of a tricky group which included France, Portugal and Hungary.
The Germans have set up a meeting with the Three Lions in the last 16, with the winner of Tuesday’s clash facing Sweden or Ukraine in the next round.
When looking at next week’s opponents, ex-England midfielder Redknapp highlighted Rudiger as one of their key players and one of the best in the world in his position.
‘For Germany, France and Portugal they have been up for every single game,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports. ‘They played against a Hungary side that had a full house and were bang up for it.
‘Germany have good players and they are players we all know. With Ilkay Gundogan in midfield, we are going to have to make sure that he does not dictate the tempo. Rudiger is one of the best defenders in the world, Manuel Neuer is good but I am not sure he is the same level as he was a few years ago.
‘Defensively, I feel we can still get at them. Kai Havertz is going to be a key player for them, so I am really looking forward to it but I do not feel we have anything to fear.
‘A win would bring so much confidence moving forward and it would generate belief in the whole country. Gareth has to take responsibility for that by picking a bold team and surprising a few of us. Do not go safe. If we go out playing safe, you cannot really say we were unlucky.’
Redknapp thinks Jack Grealish needs to start for England against Germany following his impressive outing against Czech Republic.
The Aston Villa captain set up Raheem Sterling’s winner in the first half on his first start at a major international competition and will be hoping to keep his place in the side.
‘I personally cannot see how we can’t play Grealish in the next game against Germany,’ Redknapp added. ‘Part of playing for England and for your country is whether you can handle giving the ball away. Can you want the ball at all times? Can you make something happen?
‘In the first hour that Grealish was on the pitch against Czech Republic, he made more happen than a lot of the other midfielders had done in all the games. In that game on Tuesday, Jack would get fans off their seats. He wants the ball, he receives the ball and he gets us up the pitch.
‘He’s the sort of player that divides opinion. If Gareth was honest when asked if he trusts him to provide a high press off the ball and takes on the defensive responsibilities, I think he would say no. But the flip side is that he can make things happen.’
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