Loss of first team regular a big blow for Chelsea in season’s end

Chelsea will be without central defender Antonio Rudiger for the remainder of the season after it emerged he will need surgery to his injured knee.

As per @SamiMokbel81_DM Antonio Rudiger will have knee surgery in Rome. Blow for Chelsea

— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) April 30, 2019

But how big a miss will he be for Chelsea as they enter the final phase of the season?

Rudiger has been integral to Maurizio Sarri’s cause at Stamford Bridge in the Italian manager’s maiden campaign at the club. He has managed 44 games for the Blues in all competitions this season and has proven a dependable partner in defence alongside David Luiz.

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The 26-year old form has improved from his first season at the club when he struggled to maintain the pace of the Premier League. He has become a more reliable weapon at the back and one of the reasons Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen have failed to get a shot in defence.

With two games to go in the top flight as Chelsea battle to make the top four, and the possible three games also left in the Europa League, should his side emerge victorious against Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final, Rudiger’s absence will be felt strongly.

Sarri knows he needs a full-strength squad to compete in a crucial time of the season.