Antonio Rüdiger ‘set to leave’ Chelsea amid PSG rumours
Frank Lampard has opened the door to Antonio Rüdiger leaving Chelsea after saying he will look to trim his squad before the transfer window shuts.
Chelsea have strong competition for places after spending more than £200m on signings and Lampard said some players may find it hard to break into the side. Rüdiger’s future is in doubt after the defender failed to make the bench for the defeat by Liverpool on Sunday and the EFL cup match against Barnsley.
Lampard, who is set to hand Thiago Silva his debut when Chelsea host Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, did not rule out either player leaving. “I’m going to skirt around that question,” he said.
“We’re not in a period where the transfer window is acting like it has done in recent years. The competitive games have just started. I’m very open to those conversations with the players as the next couple of weeks go on.
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in taking the central defender during this window.
A season long loan appears the most likely scenario for Rudiger.
Despite losing his place in Lampard’s plans, Rudiger maintains his reputation as one of the most accomplished defenders in Europe and will not be short of takers if Chelsea – as appears likely – will make him available.
Rudiger has two years left to run on his current deal but has not been approached about signing an extension.
That means he effectively becomes a free agent in January 2022 – something Chelsea will be acutely aware of.