Antonio Rudiger’s Chelsea days look numbered after he was left out of the matchday squad for the second game in a row.
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The German was nowhere to be seen as Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool – a game in which fellow central defender Andreas Christensen was sent off – once again suffering the same fate as Rudiger.
Frank Lampard’s side host Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, but the defender is, once again, nowhere to be seen.
It’s a decision thought to be the final straw for the 27-year-old’s part in the Blues’ 2020/21 season, with the Daily Mail insisting he is now ‘on the brink’ of leaving Stamford Bridge on loan. For now, it is Paris Saint-Germain who are looking for a possible outcome, and what would be a season-long switch.
With two years left on his contract and no extension, any 12-month loan would return Rudiger to west London with just one year left to run on his deal – a situation Chelsea avoid. will but obviously he is fully aware that may arise.
Rudiger – along with all the club’s defenders – came under heavy criticism last season from the Blues who struggled to forge any semblance of defensive stability. After scoring 54 Premier League goals last season, Lampard has brought in Thiago Silva in an attempt to strengthen the backline.
Roediger looks on as he walks out / Mark Atkins/Getty Images
Ben Chilwell has also come in to ensure Marcos Alonso is nowhere near the starting line-up, although the decision to move Rudiger above the other defenders may come as a small shock. By far the most experienced Chelsea centre-half, Rudiger is also a full German international and has made nearly 300 appearances for the club to date.
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