The Blues are fearful that star defender Antonio Rudiger could be out of action for the start of next season following a knee injury towards the back end of last season.
Rudiger picked up a knock when Chelsea faced Manchester United on 28th April when the two sides met in the Premier League. The game ended 1-1 but Chelsea suffered a blow when they saw their German defender Antonio Rudiger limp off the pitch.
Undoubtedly, Rudiger was one of the standout performers for Chelsea throughout the course of last season under Antonio Conte and this season as well under the guidance of Maurizio Sarri, who has also left the club. However, there is a sense of fear around Stamford Bridge that Chelsea would have to begin next season without the 26-year-old Rudiger.
Although Rudiger had to undergo surgery on his left knee meniscus his rehabilitation is going well and he hasn’t suffered any setbacks. But the defender faces an uphill battle to get fit before the start of the season and Chelsea would not be willing to risk Rudiger by hastily rushing him back ahead of his expected return date.
Rudiger’s absence at the start of the season could mean that Chelsea may endure an even more difficult time as the West London club has the trickiest start to the season. Chelsea’s first Premier League game of the season is not an easy one by any means as they travel to Old Trafford to face arch-rivals Manchester United on 11th of August.
Three days later, Chelsea takes on Champions League winners Liverpool in the Super Cup clash in the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul. Rudiger is bound to miss the first two games of the season for Chelsea which seems to be quite pivotal in shaping up the rest of their season.
Chelsea has already lost Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and have to look for a new manager before the season begins so some proper planning needs to be done at West London.
