Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger could make his comeback from injury after the international break, according to the Athletic journalist Simon Johnson.
The German international has not bee seen since the 5-2 win against Wolves last month, but the centre-back is said to be happy that he is recovered sufficiently from his groin problem:
Small injury update. @TheAthleticUK understands that #Rudiger is feeling fine after minor groin injury sustained at Wolves last month and there is growing optimism he will return for #cfc after the international break.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) October 7, 2019
Fans on Twitter are delighted with the news, with many believing Rudiger has been sorely missed:
About time he is desperately needed.
— KA1 ?? (@kepaedition) October 7, 2019
Tomori-Rudiger ahhh ?
— Lamps (@CFCLamps_) October 7, 2019
May be a small injury update but that would be a HUGE boost for us after the break
— James A. Burch (@ElBurcho) October 7, 2019
Beautiful
— Charlie (@Charlie160801) October 7, 2019
Love it. Much needed.
— Super Frank Era (@SuperFrankEra) October 7, 2019
Yessssss
— ????? (@SW3CareFree) October 7, 2019
Finally
— Claudius Thomas (@443Claudius) October 7, 2019
Rudiger+Christensen+Tomori
No more Zouma,thank God.
— Soler (@Solerfredo) October 7, 2019
And keeps on getting better and better pic.twitter.com/eZqkUHaK2E
— ³⁸? (@ar_sm11) October 7, 2019
The fact that Chelsea have kept one clean sheet all season kind of sums up the porousness of the Blues’ defence at the moment. Individual mistakes and a lack of organisation have meant that Frank Lampard’s side currently have the fourth-worst defensive record in the Premier League.
Rudiger may not be able to fix all of the issues by himself, but his experience and leadership at the back will definitely help things. With Fikayo Tomori having grabbed his chance, it will be interesting to see whether Rudiger can form a good partnership with the 21-year-old.