Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Antonio Rudiger won’t return to face West Ham this weekend.
The German international missed the 4-2 defeat to Arsenal yesterday with a groin problem and, when asked about the seriousness of the injury, Tuchel replied:
“Not good, I don’t think he will play against West Ham.”
With the Blues currently shipping goals left, right and centre, Rudiger’s absence will be keenly felt against the Hammers, and supporters on Twitter are concerned about what that could mean in terms of getting a result on Sunday:
We’re in trouble! 🙆🏾♂️
— Mr. Gabriel Owolabi 👨🏾🏫 (@GabrielOwolabi_) April 21, 2022
Not good for my health pic.twitter.com/kK3ae14JGE
— waleed💙 (@waleed___yusuf) April 21, 2022
Malang Sarr again😩😩😩😩
— Dotun the Nigerian Goalkeeper🇳🇬⚽ (@Kepa_Dotmors) April 21, 2022
He should start chalobah
— Daddy Chelsea (@Kusemkesh_26) April 21, 2022
4 at the back, Thiago and Christensen it is I guess
— ZiyechIsClear (@kunalwtf) April 21, 2022
Brudda we are finished
— Vedant Gedela (@VedantGedelaa) April 21, 2022
Bowen vs Malang Sarr pic.twitter.com/RmUCnZ4pdr
— ° (@Kech_44) April 21, 2022
Top four race is back on😳
— SamB (@BikaSamuel) April 21, 2022
We’re doomed
— 1GILBERT🇬🇭 (@CFCgilb) April 21, 2022
Tuchel has got some big selection issues to resolve before the weekend. As one fan points out, it wouldn’t be wise to put Malang Sarr up against an in-form Jarrod Bowen, so you would think that Trevoh Chalaboh would come back into consideration for the game.
There is also the question of whether Chelsea should switch to a back four, but that would probably mean selecting Marcos Alonso at left-back, which wouldn’t be a wise decision. Tuchel is paid good money for a reason so, hopefully, he can find a solution for the Blues’ defensive woes quickly.
