Former Chelsea star Joe Cole has reiterated the importance of Antonio Rudiger's return to the starting XI for their crucial Champions League tie with Lille.
Frank Lampard's side know three points will see them safely through to the knock-out stage of Europe's elite competition but any other result will leave their future resting on other results.
Having lost three of their last four Premier League games, including a 3-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday, the Blues are in need of a much better performance, particularly defensively.
With that in mind, Rudiger's return to fitness comes at the perfect time, in the view of Cole, who believes the German's influence could have a massive effect on Chelsea's defensive organisation.
"It couldn't come at a better time for Frank [Lampard]," Cole told BT Sport ahead of the match against Lille.
"With Rudi [Rudiger], he's had a little problem with his pelvis and he wasn't quite at it. Frank has held him back and resisted the temptation to throw him back in because he's a big personality.
"German international, he's massive in the dressing room. I think now, him coming into the team couldn't come at a better time. He'll get those young players around him: 'Listen, steady the ship, let's go out and have a good performance and win the game'."
However, former Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle has warned it could take some time for Rudiger to return to his best form, having missed almost the entire season through injury.
The former England boss added: "He will [help the youngsters] but tonight he has to get his own house in order. He's been out for a while and when you've been out for a while and you're a defender, you have got to focus on your own game and get the first one under your belt.
"Yes, he'll help out with the experience he's got. They do need tightening up defensively as a team, Chelsea. We saw them play against Valencia and it was like a school-boy game, it could have been 12 each."
