Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger did not pull any punches after the Blues slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Leicester at the weekend.
Following the game, the German international said that the players have no one to blame but themselves after their second loss in four league games:
“For our situation in the table it’s very bad and it’s disappointing. With all due respect, if we don’t win these kind of matches, we don’t need to speak about Liverpool or City.”
“We know that they came here maybe to draw, to score that one goal, they did it and they sat back. We had a couple of chances we didn’t use.”
“We came out in the second half and we conceded almost directly. It’s tough but it’s our own fault because I think we could have solved that situation better. We didn’t and everything became complicated.”
Fans on Twitter respected Rudiger’s frank assessment of the defeat:
Brutal honesty from Rudiger. Takes a lot to stand up and take responsibility. Love to see that.
That being said, Alonso and Willian have been woeful for the better part of a calendar year. Need to be replaced.
— Ayden (@AddictedToCFC) 23 December 2018
Future captain, love it.
— WorldWideChels (@WorldWideChels) 23 December 2018
Rudigers attitude is never in question and seems like the only one who gives 110% every game and Kante and maybe Dave, the rest of the squad needs Rudigers mentality
— ᎦᎯᖇᖇι’ѕ ᏰᎯᒪᒪs ? (@Lordabas) 23 December 2018
he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite players, him and azpilicueta are cut from the same cloth of leadership
— spencer (@washinmasheen) 23 December 2018
Love this!!! Rarely hear this stuff when things are off. Maybe my new favorite Blue!! ??
— Mike Quinn (@mikeqdowg) 23 December 2018
Doesn’t matter too much about taking the blame just now, obviously there were many factors at work and will be sorted on Monday, or in the next transfer window!
— Kirk W Smith (@kwsmithwriter) 23 December 2018
Refreshing to see a player be so honest. They seem fine when a game is equal or when they are winning, but as soon as they go behind they look to lose all confidence and play like 11 strangers. Second half performances are worrying, never as good as the first.
— Mark Gordon (@mark787cfc) 23 December 2018
Always giving his best .
— Titus Mugambi (@T_Mugambi) 24 December 2018
Love this guy
— ArIsGH?? (@aristokush) 24 December 2018
Da blue
— lloyd Marquis (@lloydMarquis2) 23 December 2018
Rudiger’s criticism was backed up by manager Maurizio Sarri who said that the players lost their heads after Jamie Vardy put the visitors in front on 51 minutes.
The Blues did have opportunities to get back on level terms, with Marcos Alonso hitting the post after being put through on goal late in the match, but it was a disappointing performance overall.
Sarri’s men will want to get back to winning ways against Watford on Boxing Day, and they will have to be on their game as the Hornets are a difficult opponent on their home turf.