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Chelsea concerned about Rudiger injury

Antonio Rudiger could miss the start of next season, with Chelsea concerned over the German international’s season-ending knee injury.

Rudiger missed Chelsea‘s final five games of the season, including the club’s Europa League final success over Arsenal, after being substituted with a knee problem in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United in April.

The 26-year-old underwent surgery in a bid to correct the problem, but according to the Telegraph, he could miss the start of next season with the defender determined not to rush back from injury.

Rudiger originally rushed back from an injury suffered against Liverpool to feature against United as Chelsea chased a top-four finish, only to suffer the problem to his left meniscus.

Ironically, Chelsea’s first Premier League game of the season is against United at Old Trafford on August 11th, before the club face Liverpool in the European Super Cup three days later.

Rudiger’s absence will be a blow to Chelsea’s next manager, widely expected to be former midfielder Frank Lampard, with the club currently having several players out with long-term injuries.

Alongside David Luiz and Andreas Christensen, Chelsea’s options at centre-back could include Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori who are returning to Stamford Bridge after impressive loan spells last season.

See also – Five of the Premier League’s most drawn out transfer sagas