Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger says he did what he could to recruit Timo Werner.

The pair are teammates for German national team and played together previously at Stuttgart.

The Blues beat off competition from Liverpool and Bayern Munich to secure a 48m deal for the RB Leipzig forward, and Rudiger says he had a part to play in convincing Werner about a move to west London.

"I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time,' Rudiger told Chelsea TV.

"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."

And Rudiger added that he sees similarities between the 24-year-old and Leicester City striker Vardy.

"He's a really big threat to defenders," he continued. "RB Leipzig is a more counter-attacking team but in terms of attacking the defensive line, he's similar to Vardy. He has a lot of pace and if the defender makes a mistake and loses the ball, then he goes!"

"I would say he's a quiet, humble guy, always ready to do better.

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