REVEALED: Frank Lampard ready to bring Antonio Rudiger in from the cold after successful heart-to-heart talks between Chelsea boss and outcast defender
- Frank Lampard is prepared to re-integrate Antonio Rudiger in the Chelsea team
- The German defender has been left out of the squad for six out of seven games
- Rudiger looked certain to leave the club in January, to either Spurs or PSG
- But following heart-to-heart talks with Lampard, he will have another chance
Frank Lampard is ready to re-integrate Antonio Rudiger into his first-team plans following heart-to-heart talks with the central defender.
The Germany international’s future under Chelsea boss Lampard appeared to be over after he was left out of the squad for six of the club’s first seven games of the season.
Indeed, Rudiger looked certain to leave Chelsea in January, with Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham both interested in taking him on loan.
Frank Lampard is ready to re-integrate Antonio Rudiger into his first team plans at Chelsea
Following heart-to-heart talks with the Chelsea boss, Rudiger is set to be given another chance
But a move never materialised and the 27-year-old stayed at Stamford Bridge and following constructive talks with Lampard, it is understood he will be involved in first-team matters with more regularity.
There was never an issue between manager and player – and with Rudiger staying at the club until at least January manager Lampard will now count on the former Roma man.
Lampard was satisfied enough with Rudiger’s contribution last week to name him as a substitute in the goalless draw against Manchester United on Saturday.
German international Rudiger (left) has never had an issue with Lampard and that was key
He is also likely to keep his place in the squad for Wednesday’s Champions League game in Krasnodar with Lampard permitted to name 12 substitutes.
Rudiger is yet to play a single minute of football for Chelsea this season – though he has started all five of Germany’s matches so far. But the defender knows he will have to playing far more regularly than he is at the moment to keep his place as one of Germany’s first-choice defenders going into next summer’s European Championships.
However, there is a growing sense that he will be afforded more playing time in the coming weeks.
