Here are your Chelsea morning headlines for Tuesday, 27 October.
Rudiger back in the fold
Many people would say that Antonio Rudiger has been one of Chelsea’s better defenders during the three years he has spent with the club.
Yet he wasn’t even included in Frank Lampard’s matchday squad for six of the Blues’ first seven matches of 2020/21.
However, according to the Daily Mail, that could be about to change. They have reported that the Chelsea manager has had heart-to-heart talks with Rudiger, and the 27-year-old will be involved more regularly in future.
With the European Championship on the horizon next summer, he certainly needs to be playing matches to ensure his inclusion in the Germany squad.
Stalemate highlighted midfield issue
After their well-publicised defensive issues during his reign, Lampard will have been pleased that his side kept back-to-back clean sheets against Sevilla and Manchester United last week.
But did the added solidity come at too great a cost? The Blues didn’t score in either match, and while a 0-0 draw in a Champions League game and tough away league match are not bad results, Chelsea need to be able to create chances while remaining defensively sound.
Matthew Gault has taken an in-depth look at the midfield issues which the axis of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante causes.
It’s a problem Lampard has to resolve quickly if his side are to offer a significant attacking threat while not leaving themselves too open at the back.
Free transfer options for the Blues
Chelsea certainly splashed the cash this summer, with their net spend of around £152m ensuring that top talent in the shape of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy joined the club.
The spending can’t continue for ever, though, and the Blues may need to pursue some cheaper options when next summer’s transfer window opens.
Fortunately for them, there are some excellent players who will be out of contract by then, and may be persuaded to move to west London on free transfers.
David Alaba is just one such man, and Callum Rice-Coates has taken a look at four more who could prove to be good value signings for Chelsea.
