This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
Chelsea's 4-0 loss to Manchester United in their Premier League opener has sparked concerns about the team's defense, leading to speculation that Antonio Rudiger could be rushed back from injury.
According to reports, Rudiger, a German defender, had an operation on his knee earlier this year and missed the last few games of the 2018-19 campaign.
Although Rudiger was expected to return to action against Wolves by mid-September, he is not willing to return to the pitch until his knee is fully healed.
However, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is following Rudiger's recovery closely and is eager to see him play as soon as possible, as revealed by the Daily Mail.
Lampard has repeatedly assured Rudiger that he remains an important part of his plans, and the German defender's return could potentially spell trouble for Frenchman Kurt Zouma, who faced heavy criticism after the Manchester United defeat.
Former Chelsea teammate and assistant coach Gianfranco Zola believes that Rudiger's experience and understanding with Christensen make him a more suitable option for Chelsea's defense, especially when playing out from the back.
“Certainly Rudiger has got more experience. Kurt Zouma fouled Marcus Rashford for Manchester United’s penalty,” Zola said on beIN Sports.
“I think he (Rudiger) has a better understanding with Christensen. I believe if they want to play out from the back, Rudiger and Christensen will be more suitable,” Zola added.
