Rudiger season over for Chelsea as defender has successful knee surgery in Rome after suffering injury against Man Utd
ANTONIO RUDIGER will miss the rest of Chelsea’s crucial run-in after having surgery in Rome for surgery on his knee following an injury he suffered against Manchester United.
The 26-year-old had been making his first appearance for the Blues in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford since limping off against Liverpool with a problem on the same knee.
The Germany international was accompanied by the club’s doctor to Rome for the operation on his meniscus, where he is expected to remain until at least Thursday.
Chelsea revealed the surgery had been successful in a statement – but gave no indication on when the centre-back would return to action.
It read: “Toni Rudiger successfully underwent surgery on his left knee meniscus today.
“He will miss the rest of this campaign and will rehab over the summer to be back early next season.”
The defender has played a pivotal role at the heart of Maurizio Sarri’s backline with 44 appearances this campaign as the Stamford Bridge club fight on two fronts.
Chelsea currently sit fourth in the Premier League, two points clear of Arsenal with as many games remaining as they look to secure Champions League qualification.
The Blues are also facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals but Rudiger is now certain to miss all four of those crucial fixtures.
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Should Chelsea reach the final, the former Roma star may be in with a small chance to prove his fitness to play some part in the match on May 29.
The injury blow means Sarri will likely call upon Andreas Christensen and David Luiz as his centre-back partnership for Thursday night’s semi-final first-leg.
The Italian manager may also be forced to recall club captain Gary Cahill from the wilderness to take a place on the bench before leaving on a free this summer.