Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger will have to undergo knee surgery in Italy after injuring his knee in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, according to The Sun.
The German international has already had injury problems this season, especially issues with his knee, but the injury suffered at the weekend will need more than just rest and recuperation.
The national newspaper claim the 26-year old will have to undergo knee surgery at a hospital in Rome, and will subsequently miss the rest of the season and Chelsea’s attempt in Champions League qualification.
The Blues will now have to complete their remaining fixtures for this season without the German defender.
OPINION
This injury has come at such a horrible time for Rudiger. Obviously, there is never a so called good time to get injured, but as Chelsea venture into the later stages of the Europa League, and look to secure a top four finish in the Premier League, the injury sustained by the German will be huge miss for Maurizio Sarri’s side. Rudiger has been a pivotal part of the Blue’s Premier League campaign this season, featuring in 33 league games so far this season. He will leave a huge hole in the Chelsea defence, and will leave the Chelsea boss with big decisions to make regarding his team selection in the final few weeks of the season. Chelsea will travel to Frankfurt later this week ahead of their Europa League Semi-Final fixture in Germany, and unfortunately Rudiger will have to watch on from his hospital bed and hope that his Blues teammates can get the job done without him. The Blues will also now be under more pressure to finish in a top four place come the end of the season, especially with Arsenal and Manchester United close behind them in the table.