Antonio Rudiger has suggested that Chelsea are to blame for the failure to agree a new long-term contract with him earlier this season.

As a result of his existing terms expiring during the summer, Rudiger has agreed to pen a four-year deal with Real Madrid, meaning that Sunday's Premier League fixture against Watford will be last appearance for the Blues.

The Germany international has indicated that he was ready for a fresh challenge, regardless of the delay in negotiations brought on by the government-imposed sanctions in March.

However, the 29-year-old has claimed that the club's hierarchy failed to be proactive when discussing a new contract between August and January.

Rudiger told the Daily Mail: "My decision came to the point, to be honest, in March. The sanctions was something nobody saw coming. It is easy to blame it on that, too easy. For me, there was a gap between August and January, and that made me think "what's going on".

"You get pressure from other teams because it's January and people don't know what's happening and you would have to wait until June because you have a contender to take over the club but even today you cannot talk to him because you have to go through Government stuff and everything.

"I didn't want to wait until June to sort out my future because it's been almost a year of uncertainty.

"I'm 29 and I decided to experience something new. Most important was to give everything to the club that was in my power. Some people will not be happy. I can fully understand it."

Rudiger, who has made 202 appearances for Chelsea since his arrival in 2017, will be confirmed as a Real Madrid player after the Champions League final at the end of the month.