Despite the dreadful run of form, the decision of Frank Lampard’s dismissal midway through the season does not make sense at all. There have been rumours of a dressing room feud with the Chelsea legend which resulted in outcast Antonio Rudiger facing the fans’ backlash on social media as claimed by the Daily Mail.
But the show must go on, and the London hotshots are now working on scripting a turnaround under Thomas Tuchel. Rudiger has regained a starting status in the heart of the backline and opened up recently to dismiss the claims suggesting his role in the Blues’ call to sack the club icon.
“Frank Lampard trusted in my abilities after Christmas in a very difficult situation and I was thankful for this. It was also the main reason why I told my representatives not to look for a possible winter move anymore.
“Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for our team to turn things around for the coach. We always wanted the best for the manager and for the club.”
The Germany international labelled the whole saga as ‘nonsense’ (as quoted by Football.London) and heaped his praise on Lampard’s effort to promote the youth under difficult circumstances.
Resurgence Of Rudiger?
Lampard decided to drop Kurt Zouma and reintegrate the 27-year-old alongside veteran Thiago Silva as the central defensive pairing. Rudiger has often been criticised for his lack of composure, yet the arrival of Tuchel seems to have handed him a lifeline at Stamford Bridge against the odds. The former PSG gaffer has switched to a three-man backline where Rudiger is operating from the left and has grabbed successive cleansheets for the first time in the 2020-21 campaign. He has only made six league appearances so far but is likely to grab a run of games now ahead of Zouma and Andreas Christensen.
Does He Have A Long-term Future At Chelsea?
The Blues have depth in their backline, but the quality remains a concern, particularly in comparison with the likes of Liverpool and the Manchester clubs. Silva, 36, can’t be considered a part of their long-term project, whereas the rest of the centre-backs have failed to prove their worth despite having an array of opportunities.
Chelsea are reportedly chasing the signing of Dayot Upamecano in summer, and the arrival of the Frenchman might jeopardise the future of Antonio Rudiger. However, Bayern Munich are currently leading the race for the RB Leipzig sensation, but a potential spending spree in the upcoming window would see them strengthening their backline with a plethora of options available.
