EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea man refused to face Tottenham as he pushes for transfer away Antonio Rudiger refused to play for Chelsea against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk. Rudiger has not played for the Blues in the Premier League so far this season, featuring on the bench in the 3-1 win at Brighton. Since then, however, he has not made their squad. However, he was asked to feature against Spurs – a game in which Jose Mourinho’s side progressed 5-4 on penalties. However, the German international made it clear that he did not want to play as he is now pressing to leave the club. The transfer window closes on Monday at 11pm and Ruidger has been strongly linked with a move away. Previous reports have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain and Roma are two potential destinations for Rudiger. Ironically, a report on Tuesday suggested he could be afforded a Premier League lifeline by Tottenham. Following Chelsea’s summer acquisition of Thiago Silva from PSG, Rudiger has not featured in the opening three Premier League games of the season. Indeed, Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Silva are all ahead of the 27-year-old in the pecking order. A report at the weekend claimed Rudiger was feeling “surprised” at his lack of action, as well as “sad” that he does not feature in Lampard’s plans. Rudiger’s deal expires in summer 2022. Earlier this summer he had been looking to extend his stay having helped persuade fellow countrymen Timo Werner and Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge. However, a departure now looks inevitable as the former Roma man prepares for the next stage of his career. Lampard quiet on Rudiger Lampard was asked after the game for his thoughts on Rudiger’s absence. Typically he was giving nothing away when asked if he would like to give his thoughts. “No. It’s not at that point,” he simply replied. The Blues boss, however, did see positives in their performance, despite the disappointment at being eliminated. He told Sky Sports: “Anything can happen on penalties. You want to stay in these competitions of course but there’s lots to like. “We dominated the first half but the game changed, I’m happy with bits. “They went long in the second half, missed our press out, a clear change in tactics from them and we need to improve on that. We can react better. “If we get the second goal when on top and be more positive – that will come.” Lampard was also happy to explain why Werner was not among his five to take a penalty. READ MORE here… The post EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea man refused to face Tottenham as he pushes for transfer away appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Antonio Rudiger refused to play for Chelsea against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk.

Rudiger has not played for the Blues in the Premier League so far this season, featuring on the bench in the 3-1 win at Brighton. Since then, however, he has not made their squad.

However, he was asked to feature against Spurs – a game in which Jose Mourinho’s side progressed 5-4 on penalties.

However, the German international made it clear that he did not want to play as he is now pressing to leave the club.

The transfer window closes on Monday at 11pm and Ruidger has been strongly linked with a move away.

Previous reports have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain and Roma are two potential destinations for Rudiger.

Ironically, a report on Tuesday suggested he could be afforded a Premier League lifeline by Tottenham.

Following Chelsea’s summer acquisition of Thiago Silva from PSG, Rudiger has not featured in the opening three Premier League games of the season.

Indeed, Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Silva are all ahead of the 27-year-old in the pecking order.

 

A report at the weekend claimed Rudiger was feeling “surprised” at his lack of action, as well as “sad” that he does not feature in Lampard’s plans.

Rudiger’s deal expires in summer 2022. Earlier this summer he had been looking to extend his stay having helped persuade fellow countrymen Timo Werner and Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge.

However, a departure now looks inevitable as the former Roma man prepares for the next stage of his career.

 

Lampard quiet on Rudiger

Lampard was asked after the game for his thoughts on Rudiger’s absence. Typically he was giving nothing away when asked if he would like to give his thoughts.

“No. It’s not at that point,” he simply replied.

The Blues boss, however, did see positives in their performance, despite the disappointment at being eliminated.

He told Sky Sports: “Anything can happen on penalties. You want to stay in these competitions of course but there’s lots to like.

“We dominated the first half but the game changed, I’m happy with bits.

“They went long in the second half, missed our press out, a clear change in tactics from them and we need to improve on that. We can react better.

“If we get the second goal when on top and be more positive – that will come.”

Lampard was also happy to explain why Werner was not among his five to take a penalty.

 

READ MORE here…

 

The post EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea man refused to face Tottenham as he pushes for transfer away appeared first on teamtalk.com.

James Marshment