ANTONIO RUDIGER’S return could not have come soon enough for Chelsea and it might well make the difference to them playing Champions League football next season.
Frank Lampard’s new-look side have been a joy to watch at times this campaign but there has been a glaring area of concern – the defence.
Antonio Rudiger produced a solid performance in his Chelsea returnCredit: Getty – Contributor
No matter what partnership he has used together in the middle of his backline this season, Chelsea have coughed up too many chances due to their naivety.
But in Rudiger, they have the senior centre-back they have been crying out for, and it makes such a difference to see the big German back at the heart of the defence.
Let’s not kid ourselves, Lille were pretty dreadful and there isn’t a side in the Premier League who will be as toothless as the French team were at Stamford Bridge.
But Rudiger was a towering presence in this Chelsea team, reading the game with ease and immediately up to speed in what is only his second appearance of the season.
It started in the first minute when he tidied up as Lille briefly tried to attack and it wasn’t long before he dealt with Luiz Araujo’s burst forward with the assurance of a player at a level above who he was up against.
And by the time he split former Blue Loic Remy in half with a fair, but powerful, challenge on the edge of the area Stamford Bridge was echoing with chants of “Rudi, Rudi”.
But it wasn’t just the fans who could sense a difference, the players did too.
Cesar Azpilicueta played with a freedom that has sometimes been missing this season, knowing every time he ventured forward he could rely on the German to tidy up behind him if needed.
Kurt Zouma looked increasingly assured with a senior partner alongside him, and the gaps evident in recent weeks – particularly when Andreas Christensen played – were a thing of the past.
We’ve seen enough from Chelsea this season to know they are full of goals – their problem has been at the back.
With Rudiger around, they are a major step forward in solving that problem, and surely their slump in league results will come to an end as a result.
Throw in a decent left-back in the January window and all of a sudden Lampard’s side will be a match for anyone.
Rudiger produced an assured performance in defenceCredit: Reuters
Frank Lampard speaks about the importance of big matches ahead of make-or-break Champions League match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
