Antonio Rudiger has insisted that he can be the leader at the back that Frank Lampard has been looking for in his Chelsea team. German international Rudiger finally made his full comeback after a nightmare first five months of the season, where he managed to play just 45 minutes of football.
The Germany international slipped on a metal floor at the side of the pitch during the match and he limped away to complete the half. However, it was a hernia that has kept him out along with a continuing recovery from his long-term knee injury sustained late last season.
His return was particularly anticipated with Blues boss Frank Lampard having criticized his defense in recent weeks, and Rudiger is ready to help a young Chelsea side handle expectations.
“I see myself as helping them, as always,” Rudiger said at Stamford Bridge. “As I did in the other years in the team when I played with David Luiz or Gary Cahill … I am loud on the pitch. Especially with the young guys because you need to help them.
“There will be a period – that is normal because we are all human – that you will fall a bit, the performances will go down. But there especially you need to – and me as the most experienced in the back – need to help those young guys. I’m in for that.
“In my position, it is very important to speak, to be loud because I have the whole pitch in front of me and this has always been natural to me. I always have, even when I was young, been commanding.
Rudiger impressed on his return from a pelvic injury in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Lille that eased Chelsea through to the Champions League last 16. The German 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.
Rudiger’s presence will give Chelsea’s defense more solidity that has bee missing this season with Zouma and Christensen looking shaky at the back.
